24-05-2025
Mr India is title, doesn't violate Emblems Act: HC
Chennai: Conferring titles such as Mr India, Ms India, or Ms/Mr South India for winners of bodybuilding competitions does not violate the provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, Madras high court has ruled.
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"As far as the sport of bodybuilding is concerned, it is common knowledge that whoever wins the competition is called Mr or Ms South India or India or World. That is common and specific to the sport," Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy said in a recent order.
This does not in any manner mean that it is the use of any national emblem or name of the country for any trade, business, or profession.
It is synonymously used to refer to the title winner of such bodybuilding competitions.
The sport is conducted to encourage physical fitness among individuals, the judge added.
The law only prohibits the use of the nation's name or emblem in any trade, business, calling, or profession, or in the title of any patent, or in any trademark or design without the previous permission of the govt, he said.
"I do not see the conferring of such titles for winners of the sport in any manner violative of Section 3 of the Act,"v he added.
The court passed the order while dismissing a plea moved by the Puducherry Bodybuilders & Fitness Association seeking to restrain a group of private individuals from conducting the sport and conferring such titles to winners.
According to the petitioner, an advertisement was issued regarding the sport event containing the words Mr India and Mr South India, which is violative of Section 3 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act.
