Can BJP continue to use `Lotus` as its electoral symbol? Bombay HC to decide

Mumbai: Is the Bharatiya Janata Party's use of Lotus as its electoral symbol illegal? A public interest litigation filed in the Bombay High Court suggests so.

The PIL asks the High Court to issue a direction to the Election Commission of India asking it to take back the ‘Lotus’ symbol allotted to BJP.

The petition contends Lotus is India's national flower and hence cannot be used as a symbol by any political party.

The PIL argues the BJP's use of the national flower for electoral purposes violates 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,” the petition filed by activist Hemant Patil says.

“Lotus symbolises purity, achievement, long life and good fate and hence cannot be used as a symbol by any party for election purpose,” the petition goes on to argue.

The court is likely to take up the petition for hearing next week.

Patil chose to approach the Bombay HC after the EC did not consider his representation on the need to scrap the Lotus symbol of BJP.

The EC had allotted the Lotus symbol to the BJP 25 years ago.