The bench additionally famous that it was impermissible to say the title of political personalities within the nomenclature of a authorities scheme.
The Madras Excessive Courtroom has issued an interim directive barring the Tamil Nadu authorities from together with the title or {photograph} of any dwelling political persona, former Chief Ministers, ideological leaders, or get together symbols in ads associated to welfare schemes.
The primary bench comprising Chief Justice M.M. Shrivatsava and Justice Sunder Mohan handed the interim order on Thursday in response to a petition filed by AIADMK MP C. Ve. Shanmugam and advocate Iniyan. The petition challenges the rebranding of welfare schemes with political overtones and seeks to make sure political neutrality in authorities publicity.
“Due to this fact, we’re inclined to move an interim order to the impact that whereas launching and working authorities welfare schemes by means of varied ads, the title of any dwelling persona, {photograph} of any former Chief Minister/ideological leaders or get together insignia/emblem/flag of respondent No.4 shall not be included,” the court docket mentioned.
Shanmugam’s plea requested the court docket to restrain the state from naming any welfare scheme after a dwelling particular person—particularly concentrating on the utilization of Chief Minister M.Ok. Stalin’s title in reference to schemes launched underneath G.O. (Ms) No. 390, dated June 19, 2025. The petitioner additionally urged the Election Fee of India (ECI) and the Committee on Content material Regulation in Authorities Promoting to take motion underneath Paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Whereas issuing the interim order, the court docket clarified that it was not restraining the launch, implementation, or operation of any welfare scheme. Nonetheless, it held that naming schemes after dwelling political figures or utilizing get together insignia, flags, or emblems violates the Supreme Courtroom’s established directives and the ECI’s tips.
The bench noticed that though the Supreme Courtroom within the Karnataka vs Frequent Trigger case allowed the {photograph} of an incumbent Chief Minister in ads, it didn’t prolong that liberty to former leaders or ideological figures. It harassed that together with such names or photographs might politicize welfare applications and compromise neutrality.
“Using the title of any dwelling political persona within the nomenclature of a authorities scheme, or get together symbols in ads, prima facie violates Supreme Courtroom instructions,” the bench famous.
Importantly, the court docket allowed the Election Fee to proceed independently on any criticism made by the petitioner with out ready for a last verdict within the case. The matter has been posted for additional listening to on August 13.