V.D. Savarkar
Context: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) rejected a plea seeking to protect Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar’s name under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.
Important Pointers:
Birth & Early Life: Born on May 28, 1883, near Nasik, Maharashtra; popularly known as Veer Savarkar.
Revolutionary Freedom Fighter: He was a prominent freedom fighter who termed the 1857 revolt as the First War of Independence.
Founding of Revolutionary Societies: He founded the Abhinav Bharat Society and Free India Society to inspire nationalist sentiments.
Member of India House: He was associated with India House in London, a hub for Indian revolutionary activities abroad.
Not Founder, but President of Hindu Mahasabha: Savarkar served as president of the Hindu Mahasabha but was not its founder.
Opposition to Quit India Movement: He opposed the 1942 Quit India Movement, terming it a "Quit India but keep your army" strategy.
Hindutva Ideologue: Savarkar conceptualized Hindutva, advocating for India as a Hindu Rashtra and cultural nationalism.
Key Publications: He authored “The Indian War of Independence” on the 1857 revolt and “Joseph Mazzini: Biography and Politics”.
Port Blair Airport Named After Him: The Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman, and Nicobar Islands is named in his honour.
Plea for Name Protection Rejected by Supreme Court (2025): SC on May 27, 2025, dismissed a plea seeking to protect Savarkar’s name under the Emblems and Names Act, 1950.
Article 51A Cited in Supreme Court Plea: Petitioner claimed it was his fundamental duty (Article 51A) to correct historical misinterpretations of Savarkar.
Supreme Court Denies Writ Relief: SC held no constitutional rights were violated and dismissed the writ petition.
Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act of 1950:
Objective of the Act: The Act prevents the improper use of certain emblems and names for professional and commercial purposes.
Scope of Prohibition: It prohibits the use of specified names and emblems (like the national flag, Ashoka Chakra, Gandhi, Nehru, etc.) in trademarks, advertisements, and business names.
Schedule to the Act: The prohibited names and emblems are listed in the Schedule of the Act; any changes require central government notification.
Penalty for Violation: Any person who contravenes the provisions is punishable with a fine, which may extend to ₹500.
Administrative Authority: The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for enforcing the Act.
Exemptions: The central government may permit the use of certain names/emblems under specific circumstances through authorization.
Recent 2025 SC Context: The SC rejected a plea on May 27, 2025, seeking to protect VD Savarkar’s name under this Act, ruling that the relief was not tenable under the law.
Public Interest Protection: The Act aims to prevent public deception or misuse of symbols associated with national identity or significance.