The Karnataka High Court recently issued a slew of directions to curb the misuse of India's national emblems and symbols by those not authorised to use them..A Bench of Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice MI Arun underscored that national symbols and national emblems represent the pride, honour and sovereignty of the country."National Symbols and National Emblems represent pride and honour of our nation and country ...The misuse, misprojection and misstatement of these Symbols, Emblems and Names have to be prevented resolutely," it said. .National Symbols and National Emblems represent pride and honour of our nation and country.Karnataka High Court.The Court added that it was unfortunate that even certain ex-legislators and former government officials were seen misusing such national symbols."It is true and unfortunate that there is tendency amongst the constitutional authorities who are the former authorities no more in the office, the former Members of the Parliament or Ex-Legislators have been misusing the Emblem, Flags, Names, etc. by fixing them in their letter heads and the number plates of the vehicles. This conduct is both unfortunate and depreciable. The misuse of Symbols, Seals, Flags, Emblem and Names have to be countered for their illegal and unauthorised display at various places in various manners," the Court said. .The Court held that there is an immediate need to put an end to such a state of affairs by strictly enforcing laws against the misuse of national symbols such as the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and related rules. "The higher-ups of the respondents shall chalk out the methods and programmes to sensitise the officials and implementing authorities to see and ensure that the misuse of National Emblem and National Symbols in various forms do not occur, stopped and prevented. Where such conduct of using them unauthorisedly is noticed, they are (to be) dealt with sternly," the Court ordered. The Court said that cases under the law governing the use of national emblems and symbols must be promptly registered if any misuse of these symbols are found. Necessary circulars should also be issued to this end, it added. In the April 4 ruling, the Court also ordered the State government to issue a public notice through print and visual media, urging individuals to remove all unauthorised flags, emblems, names, symbols, stickers, seals, and logos within four weeks."The school children or the law students shall also be involved in spreading awareness against misuse and unauthorised display of National Symbols and Emblems by any person, body or organization," it went on to order. The Court further directed both the Central and State governments to formulate regulations that prescribe punishments such as fines and the cancellation of driving licences if national emblems or symbols are misused by using them without authorisation on vehicles. "The traffic police should be educated by undertaking programmes and imparting training to keep observance and proper vigil to take penal action whenever they come across the violation of the kind and nature," it added. .With these directions, the Court disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by the High Court Legal Services Committee. Earlier, a single judge of the High Court, while deciding on a criminal case, had come across instances of private individuals and NGOs unlawfully using names such as “Human Rights Commission” on vehicles, to create a false impression that they were associated with public authorities. The single judge had observed that this aspect of misuse of national logos and symbols has to be examined. Following this, the Committee had filed its PIL. While issuing various directions to address the issue, the High Court also noted,"These Symbols, Emblems and Names, disseminate nation's illuminating stories and preach ideals of our glorious history, essentials of culture, fundamental values and national ethos. They in their style, projection, make and mould, often carry landmarks of Indian civilization and history. The National Symbols and Emblems are identity in themselves which stand to elate and embellish the status and dignity of the country.".Advocate Sohani A Holla appeared for the High Court Legal Services Committee.Additional Government Advocate Niloufer Akbar appeared for the authorities of the Karnataka government while Deputy Solicitor General of India H Shanthi Bhushan appeared for the Central government..[Read Order]