Indian Government
Mumbai/New Delhi – In a surprising development amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has formally withdrawn a trademark application linked to the codename reportedly used in India’s recent cross-border strikes — “Operation Sindoor.”
The trademark filing, submitted earlier this week, had sought exclusive commercial rights over the name “Sindoor: Strike for Peace”, covering categories such as media production, defense-themed documentaries, merchandise, and digital assets.
Controversial Trademark Sparks Debate
The filing came just days after India reportedly launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting alleged militant camps in Pakistan-administered territories. The move drew public and political criticism, with many calling it an inappropriate attempt to commercialize a sensitive military operation during an ongoing conflict.
“This is not just tone-deaf, it’s potentially dangerous. The attempt to brand a military operation as merchandise risks inflaming tensions,” said a senior defense analyst based in New Delhi.
Critics also accused Reliance of blurring the lines between patriotism and profiteering, especially as the trademark was filed under categories often associated with film production and branded consumer goods.
Reliance Responds: “Application Withdrawn Voluntarily”
In a statement issued late Friday, Reliance Industries confirmed the withdrawal of the application, stating:
“We have voluntarily withdrawn the trademark application for ‘Sindoor: Strike for Peace’ in light of evolving circumstances. Reliance remains committed to national interest and respects the sensitivity of the situation.”
The withdrawal has since been processed by the Intellectual Property India registry, and the application now reflects a status of “Abandoned – Voluntary Withdrawal.”
Political and Public Reaction
While some social media users viewed the move as a marketing misfire, others questioned how such an application was allowed to proceed in the first place. Opposition leaders have called for greater scrutiny of corporate involvement in national defense narratives.
“This reflects a growing and disturbing trend of corporatizing military events for media value,” said RJD MP Manoj Jha in a press briefing.
Business Fallout?
Market analysts say the episode is unlikely to have a long-term impact on Reliance’s business, but warn it could damage the brand’s reputation if public sentiment continues to turn against corporate involvement in matters of national security.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has remained silent on the trademark controversy, neither confirming nor denying whether “Operation Sindoor” was the official military codename used during the May 7 strikes.
