A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a restraint on the commercial trademark registration of the term “Operation Sindoor,” arguing that it symbolizes national sacrifice and should not be monetized for profit.
The PIL challenges applications filed by Respondent Nos. 10 to 14 on May 7 and 8, 2025, seeking registration of the trademark “Operation Sindoor” under Class 41 via TM-1 application before the concerned Trademark Registry (Respondent Nos. 6 to 9).
The petitioner has asserted that “Operation Sindoor” evokes the collective emotions of the country, particularly following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which led to the loss of innocent civilian lives and sparked nationwide outrage.
“It involves the emotions of not only the countryman but also of those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation,” the plea states. The petitioner contends that any attempt to commercially exploit the name “Operation Sindoor” constitutes a misuse of public sentiment and an attempt to derive financial gain from national tragedy.
The plea also points out that such trademark registration violates Section 9 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, which bars registration of marks that are against public morality or deceptive in nature.
Furthermore, it is argued that “Operation Sindoor” is currently a term associated with a military operation jointly carried out by Indian forces, and thus, its commercial appropriation by private entities must be prevented.
The PIL urges the Supreme Court to take immediate steps to halt the trademark applications and prevent the misuse of a term so closely tied to the service and sacrifice of Indian soldiers.
