Mukesh Ambani (image-X/GeniusBusiness_)
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Reliance Industries Ltd has withdrawn its trademark application for “Operation Sindoor,” the codename for India’s recent military strikes in Pakistan, after public outrage and criticism. The company clarified that the application was filed without authorisation by a junior employee.
In its statement, Reliance said, “Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation.”
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The company further added it has no plans to trademark “Operation Sindoor”, calling it “a phrase now part of the national consciousness as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery”.
The trademark filing was made under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which pertains to education, media production, publishing, digital content, and entertainment-related services.
Reliance was among the first to file the application on May 7, with other applicants including a Mumbai resident, a retired Indian Air Force officer, and a Delhi-based lawyer. All four applicants filed between 10.42 am and 6.27 pm on May 7 for registration, hours after Operation Sindoor.
The news sparked backlash on social media with many slamming the company for “shameless profiteering”. Many questioned the ethics of commercialising the name of a military operation carried out in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
“Reliance Industries and all its stakeholders are incredibly proud of Operation Sindoor,” the company said in its statement. “Our commitment to the motto of ‘India First’ remains unwavering. We stand fully in support of the government and Armed Forces in this fight against terrorism.”
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Media Statement
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.
Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application,…
— Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) May 8, 2025
The three other individuals who also applied to trademark the term are Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh (Retd), and Alok Kothari. It is unclear at this point whether these applicants will also withdraw their filings.
