It has been reported that the SC, in its judgment has issued the guidelines to the Govt. not to allow to print photographs of “Netas/Politicians/Ministers” in the official advertisements issued by the government other than (except) printing of photographs of President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India and of course, the iconic departed/late leaders of the nation.
What I feel in this connection is that in addition to these 3 VVIPs (viz, Prez, PM & CJI) , the photographs of CMs of respective States, irrespective of the political parties which they belong, should (must) get a place in the print ads, especially when States issue advertisements on their official programs pertaining to the public welfare schemes for the poor/ public at large and while giving the progress reports of their States as the CMs are the Heads of the States and also equally the most important personalities, in the form of VVIPs, below the Prez, PM & CJI (if not, at par) under whom the States are being run under their able command and leadership which is invariably guided by States’ Governors and in that case the photographs of Governors of the States too should be allowed to appear in the print ads.
One cannot sideline the Governor of the State who is also a VVIP. The SC should, therefore, give a second thought to this suggestion and accordingly, amend the guidelines issued earlier.
Vijay D. Patil, Pune
