The Tamil Nadu government has moved the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court order that barred it from using images of living persons, former Chief Ministers, ideological leaders, or political party symbols in advertisements for government‑run welfare schemes.

After senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi mentioned the Tamil Nadu government’s special leave petition (SLP), the Chief Justice of India (CJI) agreed to list the matter for urgent hearing this week.

“This is an extremely urgent and unusual case. The Madras High Court has passed an order that no scheme of the state government can have the name of the Chief Minister or any other political figure.

Why cannot we (state government) name a scheme? These are schemes for the welfare of the poor,” submitted Rohtagi.

The Madras High Court, in an order passed on July 31, held that while photographs of the incumbent Chief Minister may be permissible, featuring ideological figures, former Chief Ministers, or party insignia in government schemes would be against the directives of the Supreme Court.

It would not be permissible to mention the name of the living political personality in the nomenclature of the government scheme.

Source: Thenewsminute