PANAJI
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar has filed a complaint with the Panaji Police alleging the unauthorised and improper use of the State Emblem of India by the official BJP Goa social media account for political propaganda.
The complaint relates to a BJP Goa social media post celebrating the launch of ISRO’s EOS-05 satellite. According to Chodankar, the graphic prominently featured the State Emblem alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, allegedly using an official national symbol as part of the BJP’s political communication.
Chodankar has sought action under the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, and the rules framed under it.
“The State Emblem belongs to the Republic of India, not to the BJP. No political party can appropriate a national symbol and use it as part of its branding,” Chodankar said.
He alleged that placing the Prime Minister and the State Emblem together in a BJP political graphic could give the impression of official government endorsement.
The GPCC chief has urged the police to identify those responsible for creating, approving and publishing the graphic and preserve the relevant digital evidence.
He has also sought verification of whether permission was obtained from the competent authority to use the emblem.
Chodankar further demanded that the role of administrators of the official BJP Goa social media account be examined and appropriate legal action, including registration of an FIR, be initiated if an offence is established.
“The BJP cannot turn national institutions, achievements and symbols into political property,” he said.
