Karnataka High Court Cracks Down on Misuse of National Symbols

The ruling was delivered by a bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice MI Arun, who underscored that such symbols represent the pride and sovereignty of the nation and must be protected from misuse.

“National Symbols and National Emblems represent the pride and honour of our nation… Their misuse and misrepresentation must be firmly prevented,” the court remarked.

Misuse by Former Officials Raises Alarms
The bench expressed concern over reports that former legislators and ex-government officials were misusing emblems and national symbols, often displaying them on vehicle number plates and letterheads. The court described this trend as “depreciable and unfortunate,” especially when perpetrated by those who once held public office.

To counter this, the court called for stricter enforcement of existing laws—namely the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. It also ordered that cases be promptly registered upon discovery of any such misuse.

Public Notice and Penalty Measures
The Karnataka government has been instructed to publish notices across print and visual media within four weeks, directing the public to remove unauthorised emblems, flags, seals, and stickers.

The court further urged the Central and State governments to formulate regulations imposing penalties—such as fines or even cancellation of driving licences—for the improper use of national emblems on vehicles.

These actions aim to instil greater respect for national identity and hold individuals accountable for misusing symbols that represent the unity and dignity of the country.