'Why Being So Sensitive?' Punjab & Haryana High Court On Plea Filed For Removal Of Shivling Image From Brand Logo

The Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of a PIL seeking the removal of 'Shivling' image from a brand's logo, observing that the petitioner was being "so sensitive".

The PIL sought directions for removal of the Shivling photo from the packaging of an Ayurveda company's products, and also prayed to restrain others from using images or symbols of gods and deities on commercial products.

Division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry hearing the matter questioned, "Why are you being so sensitive about these things? Why this sudden surge of religious sentiments?"

The Court further noted that there is an appellate forum to deal with issues relating to trademark or copyright.

Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain submitted that the Central Government authorities had asked the petitioner to provide information related to the alleged commercial use of sacred Hindu symbols on the packaging of medicinal and consumer products, but the same has not been supplied yet.

The bench further noted that the petitioner has already filed a complaint before the appropriate authorities and the grievance is being looked into.

"Therefore, this Court would not like to come in the way of said process of consideration," it said and the plea was disposed of.

The petitioner Meghan Khullar had submitted that 'Shree Baidyanath Ayurveda Bhawan Pvt.' a 108-year-old company established in 1917, has been manufacturing various Ayurvedic products featuring the Shivling logo. Some of these products are specifically intended for intimate or therapeutic use, such as treatments for vaginal and anal conditions, which require direct application to sensitive areas.

"During use, the packaging is handled with unclean hands, leading to inadvertent contact with the sacred symbol, thereby compromising its sanctity and deeply offending the religious sentiments of millions of devotees. Furthermore, the general commercial products bearing the Shivling logo are frequently discarded in unsanitary locations such as dustbins, toilets, drainage systems, and other public waste disposal sites," stated the plea.

It added that the "improper disposal not only diminishes the revered status of the Shivling but also exposes it to contamination, causing significant emotional distress to the Hindu community."

Advocated Gaganjeet S. Sandhu, Veerpal Kaur, Maninder Singh Saini for the petitioner

Title: Meghna Khullar v. UOI & Ors.