Abbreviation 'MP' Makes Identification Easier: Madhya Pradesh High Court Dismisses PIL Against Using Abbreviations For State's Name
The Madhya Pradesh High Court was considering a PIL seeking direction to the Union of India as well as State Government should take all possible steps to ensure that the name of State of Madhya Pradesh is not referred to as M.P. or म.. in Hindi in all forms of usage correspondence etc.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, Madhya Pradesh High Court
The Madhya Pradesh High Court while dismissing a Public Interest Litigation has observed that by mere use of abbreviation 'MP', the name of the State is not changed, rather it makes identification easier.
The Court was considering a PIL seeking direction to the Union of India as well as State Government should take all possible steps to ensure that the name of State of Madhya Pradesh is not referred to as M.P. or म.. in Hindi in all forms of usage correspondence etc.
The Division Bench of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf observed, "Abbreviations are used not only in India for representing States for example, Andhra Pradesh is known as A.P., Chandigarh as C.H., Haryana as H.R., Himachal Pradesh as H.P., Uttar Pradesh as U.P., Madhya Pradesh as MP. The abbreviations are also used across the world for example, United States of America is known as USA, United Kingdom as UK and so on. By mere use of abbreviation, the name of the State is not changed, rather it makes identification easier."
The Petitioner appeared in-person while the Respondent was represented by Advocate Ishan Soni.
The Court observed that abbreviation is an efficient form of writing and makes writing faster and more concise, specially in situations where speed is important.
"It is also at times used for space saving and clarity. At certain places abbreviations are a necessity for example in prescribing codes for States. In the registration number of a vehicle, an abbreviated initials of the State are used across the country. Even for certain official purposes, for example tax purposes, the State code is used for clarifying, specifying and identifying the respective State," the Court noted.
It also noted that the Petitioner has not been able to show as to what public interest would be served in case the petition is entertained.
The PIL was accordingly dismissed.
Cause Title: Varinder Kumar Naswa vs. Union of India and Others
Appearances:
Petitioner- In-person,
Respondent- Advocate Ishan Soni, Additional Advocate General Nilesh Yadav
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