Supreme Court of India | Photo: Mathrubhumi
New Delhi: Indian Union Muslim League argued before the Supreme Court of India that the election symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party, the lotus, is a religious sign associated with Hinduism and Buddhism and the BJP may too be made a party to the ongoing litigation in the apex court. The court was hearing a plea against political parties using religious symbols and names.
The League argued that 27 other political parties, including Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal, may be made parties to the case.
The plea was filed by Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board former chairman Syed Wazeem Rizvi, who converted to Hinduism in 2021, seeking to enforce the mandate of Section 29A, 123(3) and 123(3A) of the Representation of People's Act and direct the Election Commission of India to cancel the registration of names and symbols of the parties that associate religion with it. When Rizvi was asked to name the organisations, he mentioned IUML and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
The League made the comments in the counter affidavit it filed.
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave and advocate Haris Beeran who appeared for IUML argued that the case may be dismissed since all the political organisations were not made parties to it. Senior advocate KK Venugopal who appeared for AIMIM stated that a similar plea was under consideration by the Delhi High Court.
The next hearing is in May.
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