Rs 14 lakh 'Gandhi' luxury pen writes a controversy

Mumbai: A consumer rights activist has sued Swiss luxury company Mont Blanc for using Mahatma Gandhi's name and image to sell a Rs 14-lakh pen.

The limited edition ‘Gandhi’ pen was launched in New Delhi by Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of the Father of the Nation, on September 29.

The Kerala High Court on October 1 admitted a public interest litigation challenging the marketing of the luxury pen in India and issued notices to Mont Blanc International, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affair and others.

Dijo Kapen, an official of the Kottayam-based Centre of Consumer Education, claims that using Mahatma Gandhi’s name to market products is illegal.

Kapen claims that entry 9A of the schedule of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, states the Mahatma’s name or image cannot be used for any trade or business.

Kapen says that using the Mahatma to sell a luxury pen mocked his values.

However, Tushar Gandhi has expressed surprise at those opposing the venture and said the Mahatma's image has been used in advertising for long.