Reliance Withdraws ‘Operation Sindoor’ Trademark Bid Amid Public Backlash

Reliance Industries has officially withdrawn its trademark application for the term ‘Operation Sindoor’, following widespread social media outrage. Operation Sindoor, used as the codename for the Indian military strike in Pakistan, quickly became a symbol of national pride and sacrifice. In a statement, the company clarified that the application was filed "inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation." The company added that it had no intention of commercialising a term so closely associated with the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces.

“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,” the company stated. “Our commitment to the motto of ‘India First’ remains unwavering,” read the statement.

The trademark application was submitted by Jio Studios, a media arm of Reliance, under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which covers entertainment, education, cultural, and media services. The move sparked a strong backlash online, as critics argued it was an attempt to monetise a deeply patriotic military operation.

Shortly after Reliance’s filing on 7 May, three additional applications were lodged the same day. These were submitted by Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, a resident of Mumbai; Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh (Retd.), a former Indian Air Force officer; and Alok Kothari, a Delhi-based solicitor. All four applications listed the trademark as “proposed to be used,” hinting at future plans for media or cultural projects.

The term ‘Operation Sindoor’ refers a strike carried out by Indian forces in the early hours of 7 May 2025, targeting nine terrorist sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was launched in retaliation for a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian citizens.

The name “Sindoor” — traditionally the red powder worn by married Hindu women — struck a chord across the nation, symbolising sacrifice, patriotism, and cultural identity. This emotional significance led to a scramble to secure rights over the term for possible use in films, documentaries, and digital media.​