Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has ordered strict action against unauthorised use of the State Emblem, directing all departments, district collectors, and police chiefs to enforce compliance.
According to reports from The New Indian Express, legal measures will be taken against individuals and entities illegally displaying the emblem on stationery, vehicles, or buildings. Notably, this move follows a Central Government advisory urging states to curb improper usage.
Authorities noted frequent violations, including omitting the national motto Satyameva Jayate and altering the emblem’s design, both breaches of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition and Improper Use) Act, 2005. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted discrepancies in official seals, publications, and government websites.
The move comes amid an ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Orissa High Court, filed by Ganjam-based Elon Trust, alleging widespread disrespect and misrepresentation of the national emblem.
The petition cited missing inscriptions of Satyameva Jayate and incorrect depictions of the Ashoka Pillar’s lion capital on government materials.
Acting on the PIL, a bench led by Chief Justice Arindam Sinha had directed the Central Government to submit a detailed response. The petitioner emphasised the need for systemic reforms, including incorporating the emblem’s historical significance into school curricula and launching public awareness campaigns.
Recent scrutiny revealed lapses in Odisha’s 2024 Republic Day tableau, which won national acclaim but featured an inaccurate emblem depiction. The PIL also implicates central and state education departments, urging stricter oversight.
Deputy Solicitor General Prasanna Kumar Padhi informed the court that the Centre will soon outline corrective steps. The State Emblem, adopted on January 26, 1950, mandates precise representation of the Ashoka Pillar lions with the Devanagari-script motto below.
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