Amid rising Indo-Pak tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack, Reliance Industries and others have rushed to trademark Operation Sindoor, raising ethical and legal questions about branding during conflict.

Reliance Industries and Others Rush to Trademark ‘Operation Sindoor’

In a striking move, Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has filed to trademark the term Operation Sindoor. The application was submitted on May 7, just hours after the Indian military publicly disclosed details of the covert mission.

The trademark is being sought under Class 41, which covers services in education and entertainment—prompting discussions about the commercial use of national defense operations.

Multiple Parties Join Trademark Race Amid National Crisis

Alongside Reliance, other individuals such as Alok Kothari, Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh (Retd), and Mukesh Chetram Agrawal have also filed trademark applications for Operation Sindoor.

This surge of trademark filings—while an actual conflict is unfolding—has raised concerns over the timing, intent, and ethical implications of such registrations.

Understanding Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor refers to a targeted military operation carried out by the Indian Armed Forces on the night of May 6–7, 2025. The mission involved precision strikes on militant camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The action was a direct response to the Pahalgam attack, where 25 Indian civilians and one Nepali national lost their lives in a gruesome terror assault.

According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence:

“’OPERATION SINDOOR’ was launched… targeting terrorist infrastructure used to plan and direct attacks against India. Nine sites were struck with precision. No Pakistani military facilities were targeted, highlighting India’s calculated and restrained approach.”

Controversy: War as a Brand?

The decision to pursue a trademark for a military mission while national security remains volatile has ignited public criticism. Many argue that branding Operation Sindoor during an active conflict trivializes its significance and disrespects the lives lost.

Furthermore, the trademark race appears to be capitalizing on a moment of national mourning and patriotic sentiment, leading to questions about ethical boundaries in corporate strategy and media positioning.

Conclusion: A Trademark Battle Amid Warfare

The rush to trademark Operation Sindoor by Reliance and other parties reflects a growing trend of strategic branding around national events, even those rooted in conflict and tragedy. While legally permissible, such actions raise serious questions about ethics, timing, and national sentiment.

As India continues to navigate the repercussions of the Pahalgam attack and its aftermath, the commercialization of military terms may become a heated subject in both legal and cultural discourse