Opposition parties tell Delhi High Court that PIL against use of INDIA acronym is not maintainable

The opposition parties under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that the public interest litigation (PIL) petition challenging the use of INDIA acronym for their alliance is not maintainable. .Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for the opposition parties and said that the petition filed by activist Girish Bhardwaj was "totally non-maintainable". Singhvi also rebuffed the petitioner's allegations that opposition parties were using the national flag. "Who is using the national flag? If I do it, they can prosecute me under the National Emblems Act," he said. Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma also remarked that the national flag cannot be used. However, the Court adjourned the case to November 22 as neither the Central government nor the opposition parties had filed their replies in the case. The Bench also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela gave the respondents two weeks to file the replies. .The plea has been filed by activist Girish Bhardwa arguing that opposition parties are using the name of INDIA for their selfish act and it may "adversely affect the peaceful, transparent and fair casting of votes during the upcoming general elections of 2024".This may expose the citizens to unwarranted violence and also affect the law and order of the country, the plea stated.He also said that the use of name INDIA is prohibited under Sections 2 and 3 of The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950.Bharadwaj further cited the statements of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said that these leaders have presented the name of their alliance as the "name of our nation and tried to show that the NDA/BJP and Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. Modi is in conflict with our own nation".The plea further said that Rahul Gandhi's statement has created confusion in the minds of the common people that the upcoming elections will be fought between an alliance (NDA) and the country (INDIA)..The Court had earlier issued notice to the 26 opposition parties who are a part of the alliance as well as the Central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI). .The ECI filed its response and said that it does not have the power to regulate political alliances.