Indian expat in Oman challenges 'insult' of Ashok Chakra emblem by Indian-owned firm

Muscat, Feb 12(ANI): An Indian lawyer in Oman has challenged the alleged insult to the Indian national emblem, the Ashoka Chakra.

Lalachen has written to Indian Ambassador J. S. Mukul to intervene and take appropriate steps to end use of the national emblem and colours of the national flag by a business enterprise which, he alleged, was owned by an Indian.

"It has been four days since I have complained to the new Indian ambassador in writing but there has been no reply even to acknowledge that they have received my complaint," the Gulf News quoted Lalachen, as saying.

He claimed he had taken up the issue with the previous ambassador Anil Wadhwa, but no action was taken, and the business enterprise continues to use the emblem in its newspaper advertisements, hoardings and other printed materials.

Lalachen said he would move a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court of India on the issue if the embassy failed to take action on the issue.

He pointed out that the Section (3) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 prohibited the use the emblems specified in the Schedule of the Act Article (16) of the Act for any business or professional purposes without the prior approval of the Central Government of India.

Lalachen stressed that the matter required serious attention since an Indian owns the business entity in Oman.

The Indian embassy did not give any response to the issue. (ANI)