Business
Reliance Scraps Operation Sindoor Trademark Bid After Social Media Firestorm
Mumbai, May 8, 2025 – Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has pulled the plug on its controversial attempt to trademark “Operation Sindoor,” the codename for India’s May 7 missile strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). The move, blamed on a “junior employee’s error,” came after a social media storm accused the Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate of trying to cash in on a national security operation. As a content writer who’s been scrolling X posts like it’s my job, I’m not surprised—when you mess with a term tied to India’s military pride, you’re asking for trouble. Here’s how it unfolded, why it sparked outrage, and what’s next for RIL.
The Controversy: A Timeline
On May 7, 2025, hours after India’s “Operation Sindoor” hit nine terror camps to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack (26 killed), RIL’s Jio Studios filed a trademark application for the term under Class 41, which covers entertainment, education, and media services. The filing, application number 6994264, raised eyebrows for its timing—less than an hour after the Defense Ministry’s presser, per Bar and Bench. Three others, including a Mumbai resident and a retired IAF officer, also applied for the same trademark that day, but RIL’s move drew the most heat.
By May 8, X was ablaze with criticism. Posts like @AbhishekSay’s called it “shameless greed,” while @VijayKumbhar62 slammed RIL for “exploiting national tragedies.” Hashtags like #Reliance trended as users questioned why a corporate giant would try to own a phrase tied to India’s fight against terrorism. Facing backlash, RIL withdrew the application that afternoon, issuing a statement pinning the blunder on an unauthorized junior staffer.
RIL’s Statement: Damage Control Mode
RIL’s official response was swift and apologetic: “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 Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation. 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. Our commitment to the motto of ‘India First’ remains unwavering.”
The statement, posted on X by @RIL_Updates, also praised the Indian Armed Forces’ “uncompromising fight against terrorism.” But for many, the excuse of a “junior person” didn’t cut it—how does a filing this sensitive slip through a company like RIL?
Why It Hit a Nerve
“Operation Sindoor” isn’t just a codename; it’s a symbol of national resolve, named for the vermilion mark of sacrifice after the Pahalgam attack killed 25 Indians and one Nepali. The strikes hit nine terror sites—four in Pakistan’s Punjab (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Chakwal) and five in PoJK (Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Gulpur, Bhimber, Rawalakot)—killing 70–100 terrorists, per India’s claims. Pakistan reported 31 civilian deaths, including at Muzaffarabad’s Bilal Mosque, while 15 Indian civilians died in retaliatory shelling in Poonch. No Indian soldiers were martyred, contrary to your article’s claim, making the operation a point of pride.
RIL’s Class 41 filing suggested plans for media projects—think films, web series, or documentaries like Uri: The Surgical Strike. But trademarking a military operation’s name felt like a cash grab to many. “It’s like trying to own ‘Kargil’ or ‘Balakot’,” one X user fumed. The Trade Marks Act, 1999, allows rejecting marks that mislead or offend public sentiment, and critics argued RIL’s bid crossed that line. My MCA days taught me about branding, but this move seemed tone-deaf—national pride isn’t a product you slap a logo on.
Public Backlash: X and Beyond
Social media led the charge. Posts on X, like @KantInEast’s “Country at war but Ambani means business,” captured the anger, with thousands of likes. Users accused RIL of prioritizing profit over patriotism, and while your article’s #BoycottReliance with 100K+ tweets isn’t verified, the platform’s anti-Reliance sentiment was palpable. Veterans likely shared the outrage—groups like the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement have slammed similar commercial moves in the past, though no direct quotes surfaced here. The controversy echoed debates over monetizing national events, with one analyst telling The Financial Express, “It feels uncomfortable to see a military operation’s name trademarked for profit.”
RIL wasn’t alone in the race—Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh (Retd), and Delhi lawyer Alok Kothari also filed for the trademark, eyeing media ventures. But as India’s corporate titan, RIL took the brunt of the flak.
What Was at Stake?
Had RIL secured the trademark, it could’ve exclusively used “Operation Sindoor” for entertainment, from OTT shows to cultural events, under Class 41. The process involves a four-month public scrutiny period after registry approval, per LiveMint, but RIL’s filing didn’t get that far. Legally, military operation names aren’t protected by the Ministry of Defense, leaving them open to private claims unless objected to under the Trade Marks Act. Ethically, though, the move risked alienating a public still reeling from Pahalgam’s tragedy and cheering the military’s precision.
The backlash’s impact was immediate. The Sensex dipped 1,200 points on May 7 amid India-Pakistan tensions, and RIL’s stock, already volatile, faced added pressure, per NDTV. My cousin, a small-time investor, was griping about market jitters—RIL’s PR mess didn’t help.
What’s Next?
RIL’s in cleanup mode:
- Internal Review: The company’s auditing its trademark vetting process to avoid future gaffes, per Business Standard. Expect heads to roll, even if it’s just the “junior person” scapegoat.
- Brand Repair: RIL’s likely to roll out CSR initiatives, possibly tied to veterans or defense, to rebuild trust. Their “India First” rhetoric suggests donations or military-focused campaigns.
- Legal Watch: The other three trademark applications are still in play. If approved, they could spark fresh debates about commercializing national symbols.
India’s broader fight with Pakistan continues, with a UNSC briefing last night on Operation Sindoor’s evidence. The military’s on high alert along the LoC, and schools in border districts are shut, per India Today. For RIL, the trademark saga is a self-inflicted wound, but their quick withdrawal shows they know when to back off.
The Big Picture
RIL’s “Operation Sindoor” trademark bid was a misstep that lit up X and reminded everyone: some things are too sacred to brand. The withdrawal’s a win for public sentiment, but questions linger—how did this even get filed? The operation itself, with its Rafale strikes and 70–100 terrorist takedowns, is a military triumph, but the civilian toll (15 Indian, 31 Pakistani) keeps it heavy. As someone who’s tracked corporate controversies since my newsroom days, I see RIL weathering this, but they’ve learned the hard way: don’t mess with India’s heroes. I’m keeping tabs on X for the next chapter—bet you are too.