A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court of India challenging attempts to trademark the term “Operation Sindoor,” which is associated with India’s recent cross-border military strike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. The plea, filed by advocate Dev Ashish Dubey, contends that the term should remain in the public domain as a symbol of national sacrifice and military valor, and must not be subject to commercial exploitation.
Symbol of National Mourning and Valor
“Operation Sindoor” was the code name attributed to a high-profile military operation carried out in April 2025 following a series of terrorist attacks on Indian soil. The operation garnered widespread national attention and has since become emblematic of India’s counter-terrorism resolve. According to the petitioner, the term has deep emotional and patriotic significance, representing both the grief of the nation and the courage of its armed forces.
Dubey argued in his petition that allowing the term to be trademarked for commercial purposes—particularly for use in entertainment and educational services—would undermine its solemnity. “This term is now a part of national memory,” the plea states. “To commercialize it is to trivialize the sacrifices of the martyrs and disrespect the sentiments of their families.”
Corporate Involvement and Controversy
Among them was an application by Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), which had applied for the trademark under Class 41, covering services related to media, education, and entertainment.
In a public statement, the conglomerate clarified that the filing was made “without proper authorization” by a junior employee and was promptly retracted upon internal review.
Despite the withdrawal, the PIL notes that other private entities have also submitted trademark applications for the term, raising concerns about potential misuse in films, web series, and other commercial content.
Legal Arguments
The petition invokes Section 9 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, which prohibits the registration of terms that are likely to hurt public sentiment or are devoid of distinctive character in the commercial sense. Dubey’s plea argues that “Operation Sindoor” falls within this exception due to its symbolic association with a national tragedy and its lack of commercial originality.
“This is not a brand name or an invented phrase,” Dubey said. “It is a descriptor of a solemn military campaign, and it belongs to the people of India, not to any corporate entity or private individual.”
Call for Judicial Intervention
The petitioner has urged the Supreme Court to direct the Registrar of Trademarks to reject any current or future applications seeking to register “Operation Sindoor” as a trademark. The PIL also seeks broader guidelines to prevent similar attempts to commercialize terms tied to national security or military actions.
However, legal experts suggest that the case could set a precedent regarding the ethical and legal limits of branding sensitive national events.
Public Reaction
The PIL has received support from several quarters, including veterans’ associations and civil society groups. Many believe that the term should be preserved as a collective symbol of national pride and not repurposed for profit.
With the Supreme Court expected to weigh in on the matter, the case is likely to spark a larger conversation around the commodification of national symbols and the need for legislative safeguards against such practices.