The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
MUMBAI, MAY 8, 2025
Reliance Industries Ltd has officially withdrawn its trademark application for the term “Operation Sindoor”, the codename for India’s recent military operation in Pakistan, asserting that the filing was made in error and without proper authorisation.
In a strongly worded statement, the conglomerate clarified that the application had been submitted by a junior employee at Jio Studios, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, and that the move did not reflect the company’s intent. “Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation,” the company stated.
The term Operation Sindoor has swiftly become etched in the national consciousness as a symbol of India’s decisive military response to a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. It is widely hailed as a moment of valor and strategic assertion by the Indian Armed Forces.
“Reliance Industries has no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor, a phrase which is now a part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery,” the statement added. The company emphasized its profound respect for the Armed Forces and unwavering commitment to national interests.
According to records from the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, four applications — including the one from Reliance — were filed on May 7 under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which covers entertainment, media production, education, and cultural events. Applications came from a diverse group: a private Mumbai resident, a retired Indian Air Force officer, and a Delhi-based lawyer, in addition to Reliance. The earliest among these was submitted by Reliance.
The trademark filing hinted that the term might be used in the future as a title or brand for a film, web series, or documentary, sparking concern and debate about the propriety of commercialising a military operation that holds deep national significance.
In its statement, Reliance underscored its alignment with national sentiment: “Reliance Industries and all its stakeholders are incredibly proud of Operation Sindoor, which came about in response to a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Operation Sindoor is the proud achievement of our brave Armed Forces in India’s uncompromising fight against the evil of terrorism.”
The company also reaffirmed its patriotic commitment, stating, “Our commitment to the motto of ‘India First’ remains unwavering.”
