Use of pictures of living persons on banners and hoardings banned in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, October 25: On Tuesday the Madras High Court banned the use of pictures of living persons on banners and hoardings in Tamil Nadu. This will help ensure clean environment and also maintain the vicinity of the residential places. 

“If at all any permission is given by the authority concerned for erecting banners, flex boards, sign-boards, etc, the authority concerned shall ensure that the photos/pictures of such persons who are alive, shall not be depicted by way of those banners, flex boards, sign boards etc,” Justice S Vaidyanathan said.

It means that pictures of the Chief Minister, Ministers or Politicians can no longer be used in posters or hoardings, often put up as a show of strength and support – larger the better. The court has also barred use of photos of people sponsoring the pictures.

The court was hearing a plea by Chennai resident B Thirulochana Kumari who had asked the local civic body to remove a party board, banner and a flag erected in front of her home by a Mathi.