BCI prohibits private law universities from using 'Indian', 'Bharatiya', 'National' for moot courts, events

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a directive prohibiting the use of the words "India", "Indian", "National", "Bharat", "Bhartiya" and "Rashtriya" by private law universities while organizing moot court competitions, conferences and other such legal or law related events..In a circular issued on Tuesday, October 15, the BCI stated that the practice of referring to such events as national or all-India events without the necessary approval is misleading and violative of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950."The use of 'National', 'India', 'Indian', 'Bharat', 'Bharatiya', or 'Rashtriya' in the title of an event gives it an appearance of representing the entire nation. Only statutory bodies like the BCI and institutions such as National Law Universities or government affiliated Departments of Law, which have a national mandate, can be said to have the legal standing to host such events," the BCI said. .The BCI noted that in recent years, many institutions have been increasingly using the terms like "National," "India," "Indian," "Bharat," "Bharatiya," and "Rashtriya" for legal events such as conferences, mock courts, and moot courts. These events are often labeled as "National Moot Courts" or "All India Moot Court Competitions" despite the institutions lacking statutory authority or government approval to use these terms, its circular stated.It added that this practice misleads participants and the public by falsely suggesting that these events are of national importance or are government-backed. "Moreover, the unauthorized use of these names has been observed to be misused for securing sponsorships, further exploiting the misunderstanding that such events hold official national status," it further noted. .The BCI has however stated that National Law Universities (NLUs) and government institutions can use terms like "National" in the title of their events if they are of such character. However, they must formally notify the Central government beforehand to ensure transparency and compliance, the circular noted..Only events by BCI, NLUs, Departments of Law within Central or State Universities and other authorised national bodies can be referred to as 'National-Level Competitions.'BCI.The BCI has warned that the unauthorized use of the terms mentioned in the circular may result in revocation of recognition or approval by BCI, legal action under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, disqualification from organizing future events and loss of privileges granted by the BCI..[Read Circular]