Subramanian Swamy objects to naming Arnab’s venture ‘Republic’

It’s been a few weeks since Arnab Goswami announced his soon-to-be-launched entrepreneurial venture, christened Republic. Last week, Vikas Khanchandani was appointed as CEO of Republic, touted as India’s first independent media venture. Now, on the eve of India’s 68th Republic Day, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has shared his objections on naming the venture ‘Republic'. 

A letter that Swamy had written to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on January 13, 2017, has been posted by the BJP leader on his Twitter account today. Swamy had pointed out in his letter that under the Emblems and Names (Prevention and Improper Use) Act 1950, certain names and emblems have been prohibited from being used for professional and commercial purposes. 

He continued, “As per the schedule accompanying the statute, under Item 6, there is an express prohibition from using the phrase ‘Republic. Hence, the grant of licence to a news channel to broadcast under the name of ‘Republic’ will be contrary to law and a direct breach of the Emblems and Names (Prevention and Improper Use) Act 1950.” 

Swamy asked the Ministry to look into the use of ‘Republic’ and determine if it is prohibited to issue a licence such name. 

As is known, Goswami had announced in December last year that his new venture would be called Republic. On January 7, 2017, Republic formally made its debut on social media as Republic World on Facebook and @Republic on Twitter and the hashtags #Republic and #RepublicWorld trended for 48 hours at time of launch. Republic will aim to reaffirm the power and reach of independent media.