The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) told the Supreme Court that the lotus symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is associated with Hinduism and Buddhism. It added that a ruling party should, therefore, be made a respondent in a petition that bans the use of religious symbols and names by political parties.
This was told to the court after IUML was made party to the petition on the ground that it is using a religious name and symbol.
The IUML in an application filed before the apex court, claimed that the BJP’s lotus symbol is a religious one as it is related to Hindu Gods as well as Buddhism.
The application added that as per Hinduism, a sacred lotus in form of purity lies inside, that represents eternity, purity, divinity, and can we widely used as a symbol of life, fertility, ever-renewing youth.The lotus flower is used in dharma to describe feminine beauty, especially the beautiful female eyes.
In Buddhism, the flower of lotus flower symbolizes the most exalted state of human; head held high, pure and undefiled in the sun, feet rooted in the world of experience. Further it is submitted that, God Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva and Lakshmi Mata are also associated with the lotus flower in Hinduism
The IUML in its application said the there are 27 political parties, which are allegedly using religion in their name, symbol or carrying religious connotations in their symbol, and there should be made party to the case.
The names of the parties are:-
- Shiromani Akali Dal
- Shiv Sena
- Akhil Bharatiya Muslim League (Secular)
- Akhil Bharathiya Ram Rajyya Parishad
- Akhil Bharathiya Shiv Sena Rashtrawadi
- All India Christian Democratic and Backward People’s Party
- Christian Democratic Front
- Christian Mannetra Kazhakam
- Hindu Ekta Andolan Party
- Hindu Munnani
- Hindu Samhathi
- Hindu Makkal Katchi
- Hindu Mahasabha
- Hindu Sena
- Indian Christian Front
- Indian Christian Secular Party
- Islam Party Hind
- Majdoor Kisan Akali Dal
- Muslim Majlis Uttar Pradesh
- Paschim Banga Rajya Muslim League
- Sehajdhari Sikh Party
- Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar – Simranjit Singh Mann)
- Shiromani Akali Dal (Republic)
- Shiromani Youth Akali Dal (Kahlon)
- Shiromani Lok Dal Party
- Shivaji Congress Party
- Shivrajya Party
The application by IUML pointed out that even after the apex court having passed the order granting liberty to the petitioner for adding political parties against which relief is sought, only All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen and Indian Union Muslim League were impleaded.
The application was filed in a petition by the former Shia Waqf Board chief, Waseem Rivzi (currently Jitendra Tyagi) who raised grievance with the registration of political parties that have religious names, symbols, or logos with religious connotations.
In his application,Tyagi had contended that using religion for luring voters is strictly prohibited under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act. This Act prohibits a candidate or his agent from mixing political benefits with religious feelings, added the petitioner.
At today’s hearing, a bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar gave counsel for the respondents four weeks’ time to place on record similar such pleas pending before the Delhi and other High Courts.