The Bombay High Court on Friday sought responses from actor Aamir Khan and Star TV to a PIL by an activist that objects to the use of the phrase Satyameva Jayate as the name of their popular TV programme as it was a vital part of the Emblem of India.
Responding to the petition, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its affidavit said the use of the phrase ’Satyameva Jayate’ was not in violation of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition and Improper Use) Act and State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules.
“The Act and Rules prohibit improper use of the State Emblem of India as a whole. There is no provision which prohibits the use of its part like Satyameva Jayate , the lion, the bull, the horse and so on. Hence the use of the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ in a TV programme does not violate any provision of the Act and Rules,” the affidavit filed by MHA Under Secretary Pradeep Pandey said.
The division bench of Justices AS Oka and GS Kulkarni, however, wanted to know what the Union government’s view would be if someone else uses the Emblem of India as a whole and not just a part of it. The bench directed Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh to appear before it with regard to the petition on April 28. It also directed Star TV and Aamir Khan to file their affidavits by the same date.
In his petition, activist Manoranjan Roy said Satyameva Jayate is a part of the Emblem of India, and their use for the name of a TV programme violates laws governing its use.
PIL said Satyameva Jayate is part of the Emblem of India, and its use for a TV show violates laws
