Madras High Court Bans Use of Living Person Names, Symbols & Leaders’ Photos in Govt Scheme Ads

The Madras High Court has passed an interim order banning the use of political party names, symbols, flags, or photos of former Chief Ministers and ideological leaders in advertisements for government welfare schemes.

The Bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan, clarified that this violates Supreme Court rulings and ad content guidelines.

The order came during a petition by AIADMK MP C. Ve Shanmugam, who challenged the DMK government's use of CM Stalin's name and party imagery in the "Mudhalvarin Mugavari" scheme. The court said welfare ads must remain apolitical.