congress-slams-pil-calls-it-politically-motivated-over-use-of-i-n-d-i-a-acronym

The Indian National Congress (INC) has filed a counter affidavit in the Delhi High Court opposing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to restrain the opposition from using the acronym INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).

The Congress party termed the PIL as politically motivated and alleged that the petitioner has close associations with Vishwa Hindu Parishad, indicating a political agenda behind the petition.

The affidavit filed by the Congress highlighted the political affiliation of the petitioner with Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an organisation associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It accused the petitioner of attempting to bolster his political affiliation through the PIL.

The Congress further stated in its affidavit that the PIL failed to establish the basis for prohibiting the use of the acronym INDIA by opposition parties. It argued that the petitioner did not provide evidence of confusion among voters or any harm caused by the use of the acronym.

The Delhi High Court had earlier granted the last opportunity for all respondents to file their responses on the PIL seeking to prohibit the use of the acronym INDIA by opposition political alliances.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) also stated that it cannot regulate political alliances in response to the plea against the use of the acronym INDIA.

The ECI clarified that political alliances are not recognized as regulated entities under the Representation of People Act or the Constitution. The court had sought responses from various political parties named in the petition, including the Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal (United), Aam Aadmi Party, and others.

The petitioner argued that using the acronym INDIA for the political alliance could lead to confusion among voters and diminish the nation's goodwill. It expressed concerns that if the alliance using the acronym INDIA is defeated in the elections, it could be projected as a defeat for the entire nation, potentially leading to political violence.

The plea also raised concerns about the impact of political parties using the national flag as the logo of their alliance.

It warned that such actions could incite political hatred and violence, affecting the peaceful casting of votes in the upcoming general elections of 2024.