In a relief to actor Aamir Khan and Star TV, the Bombay high court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) that had challenged the use of the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ as the title of a
In a relief to actor Aamir Khan and Star TV, the Bombay high court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) that had challenged the use of the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ as the title of a television show.
The division bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Amjad Sayed said that the petition had been dismissed as it did not hold merit. The PIL was filed by social activist Manoranjan Roy seeking action against the makers of television show Satyamev Jayate for using a part of the emblem.
Satyamev Jayate, a show on social issues hosted by Aamir Khan, aired on Star TV between 2012 and 2014.
The contention of the petitioner was that the makers of the show had used part of the State Emblem of India, which is the two words 'Satyamev Jayate'. He claimed that that even the usage of Satyamev Jayate by the state could not be allowed without the permission from the Union government, as it was part of the emblem.
He had also claimed that use of the words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ for trade purposes and gain is violative of the Act and Rules. He further argued that even the use of the motto attracts violation under the Act, and hence should not be prohibited. The Union government however was of the view that using the words ‘Satyamev Jayate’ by the TV programme is not an offence. In an affidavit, the government said that the title uses only a part of the emblem and that it does not amount to any offence.
Additional solicitor general Anil Singh appearing for the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Information and Broadcasting told the court that as per the 1950 Act the -"usage of Ashok Chakra or Dharm Chakra is specifically prohibited in the act, while the usage of the words ‘Satyamev Jayate’ is not specifically prohibited.”
Mr Singh further said the elephant, lion, galloping horse and Dharma Chakra everything together form the emblem. He also said the words 'Satyameva Jayate' were only the motto of the Emblem.
During hearing, the bench observed, “Under the State Emblem of India (Prohibition and Improper Use) Act and State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, prohibition is only for the use of the Emblem as a whole and not the motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ separately.’’
