Tamil Nadu News

Ungaludan Stalin Scheme

August 10 , 2025 15 hrs 0 min 24 0

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a plea against the naming of the Tamil Nadu government outreach programme ‘Ungaludan Stalin on August 6, 2025.
The apex court termed the plea as misconceived and an abuse of law.
A penalty of ₹10 lakh was imposed on C. Ve. Shanmugam, which is to be paid to the Tamil Nadu government for use in welfare schemes.
The Supreme Court set aside a Madras High Court order that had restrained the Tamil Nadu government from naming schemes after living persons.
The court noted that restricting only the ruling party and its Chief Minister showed political intent.
The court stated that naming schemes after political leaders is a common practice across India.
The petitioner had not challenged schemes named after other living leaders from various political parties.
The petition had also requested the action from the Election Commission of India under Paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols Reservation and Allotment Order of 1968.
The petition has sought intervention by the Content Regulation Committee on Government Advertising against the use of the name Stalin.
The court had concluded that the outreach programme ‘Ungaludan Stalin is citizen-focused and not intended as political propaganda.
The judgment allows the Tamil Nadu government to continue to using the name ‘Ungaludan Stalin' for its welfare programme.