Fri Aug 01 07:04:40 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Madras High Court Restrains Tamil Nadu Government from Naming Schemes After Living Persons**
**CHENNAI, August 1, 2025 (The Hindu)** – The Madras High Court has issued an interim order restraining the Tamil Nadu government from naming new or re-branded public welfare schemes after any living individual. The order also prohibits the use of portraits of former Chief Ministers, ideological leaders, or the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party insignia in advertisements promoting these schemes.
The ruling came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Member of Parliament, C.Ve. Shanmugam, challenging the naming of a government outreach program, ‘Ungaludan Stalin,’ after the current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
The First Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan, clarified that the order does not impede the launch or operation of any government welfare scheme, but focuses solely on the nomenclature and publicity materials. The court acknowledged the order was based on initial evidence.
The judges issued notices to the Tamil Nadu government and the DMK, directing them to file counter affidavits. The PIL will be heard on August 13, along with a similar case, after the submission of replies.
The court referenced a Supreme Court ruling in the “Common Cause” case when addressing concerns that the government intended to name further schemes after living individuals, deeming such a practice “prima facie” impermissible.
The interim order explicitly states that while launching and promoting government welfare schemes, “the name of any living personality, photograph of any former Chief Minister/ideological leaders or party insignia/emblem/flag of Respondent number 4 (DMK) shall not be included.”
Furthermore, the court clarified that the ongoing PIL will not influence the Election Commission of India (ECI) in its decision regarding a representation made by the AIADMK MP requesting action against the DMK under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
First Piper 