Arnab's channel can't be named Republic', breach of law: Subramanian Swamy

New Delhi: As the launch date of Arnab Goswami’s new channel Republic inches closer, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy has written to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry claiming that the name cannot be used.

Quoting the Emblems and Names (Prevention and Improper Use) Act 1950, he said that certain names and emblems are prohibited from being used for professional and commercial purposes, 'Republic' being one of them.

In his letter Swamy has written, “As per the schedule accompanying the statute, under item 6, there is an express prohibition from using the word ‘Republic’”.

He also stated that it would be a direct breach of the Act if a license was granted to the channel.

While the letter was dated January 13, Swamy had tweeted a photo of it on Wednesday.

Swamy ,who is known for his controversial statements was recently in the news during the Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu, where he called the protesters ‘porukkis’ which roughly translates to ‘thugs’.