Reliance Pulls 'Operation Sindoor' Trademark Bid, Blames Junior—Internet Isn’t Buying It

After facing backlash on social media for applying to trademark the term 'Operation Sindoor', Reliance Industries has withdrawn its application. The company, led by Mukesh Ambani, blamed a “junior person” for filing the application “inadvertently” and “without authorisation.”

“Reliance Industries has no intention of trademarking Operation Sindoor, a phrase which is now 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 Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation,” the company said in a statement.

The statement came after Reliance’s trademark filing went viral, prompting criticism for attempting to secure exclusive rights to the name within hours of its announcement by the Indian Armed Forces.

According to the Ministry of Commerce's trademark search portal, Reliance applied for a word-type trademark under Class 41 on May 7. It was one of four applicants seeking rights under the same class. The others included Mumbai resident Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, retired Indian Air Force Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh, and Delhi-based lawyer Alok Kothari.

The application said that Reliance intended to use the name for the production, presentation, and distribution of audio, video, still and moving images, and data containing the trademark. The trademark would also have covered publishing services—both physical and electronic—as well as the organisation, production, and presentation of shows, competitions, games, concerts, exhibitions, and events.

Now, the conglomerate says it is rescinding the application, adding: “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. Operation Sindoor is the proud achievement of our brave Armed Forces in India’s uncompromising fight against the evil of terrorism.”

Netizens Slam Reliance

Earlier, social media users and even political figures criticised the Mukesh Ambani-led group.

“This isn’t branding, it’s blatant mockery! Now we know where the name came from, & who’s really running the show in this country… It’s disturbing to see something so serious being reduced to a joke!” posted Archana Pawar on X.

“All #Ambani cares about is making more money!” said Dr Aniruddha Malpani, MD, in another post.

Opposition Congress party also criticised the move.

“It’s a feast of the vultures. Hope royalties are paid to the inventor via JI-CARES fund to avoid future raids,” said the Congress Kerala account.

Following Reliance’s statement, a user named Wanash Agarwal posted: “By a junior person without authorisation’ — nice cover. Could’ve apologised without justifying, but a welcome move indeed!”

Another user added: “You want us to believe a ‘junior person’ filed a legal application without consulting the legal heads of a highly litigious organisation like yours? Your tweet stories are worse than your movie scripts, bruv.”