PIL seeks scrapping of BJP's lotus symbol

A PIL was filed in the Mumbai high court today against the BJP's lotus symbol. The petition asked the court to direct the Election Commission (EC) to scrap the saffron party's symbol, claiming that the 'national flower' cannot be used as a party symbol. 

The petition alleged that since the BJP was using the national flower for electoral purposes, this violated the Emblems and Names (Prevention of improper use) Act 1950.

“Lotus is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in art and mythology of ancient India and it has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture. Lotus is a flower of Goddess Laxmi and symbolises wealth, prosperity and fertility,” said the petition filed by activist Hemant Patil.

The public litigation further extolled the lotus, claiming that it symbolised purity, achievement, long life and good fate and hence cannot be used as a symbol by any party for election purposes.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing next week.

The petitioner said he had earlier given a representation to the EC to scrap the symbol, but his request had not been considered. Hence, he claimed, he had moved the Mumbai high court.

The lotus symbol was allotted to BJP 25 years ago by the EC, but no party or person has ever objected to it so far.

The petition prayed for a direction to the EC to produce all the records in respect of allotment of lotus symbol to BJP and until then freeze the usage of the symbol.