Bengaluru: Popular TV anchor Mr. Arnab Goswami of Newshour fame has learnt a bitter lesson from BJP MP Prof. Subramanian Swamy. On January 28 he was forced to change the name of his upcoming English News Channel from Republic to Republic TV following a complaint lodged by Prof. Swamy with union information and broadcasting ministry under Emblems act 1956.In a letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Swamy had said the licence granted to Goswami should be revoked as it is a “direct breach” of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, which makes it clear that certain names and emblems cannot be used for commercial and professional purposes.

“There is an express prohibition from using the phrase ‘Republic’…Your office may look into the use of ‘Republic’ and determine if it is prohibited to issue a licence under such name,” he told the I&B Ministry.

According to the documents, on January 28, Mr. Goswami wrote a letter to the ministry requesting change in the name of the TV channel from Republic to Republic TV and provide uplink and downlink facility. As per the original plans Goswami wanted to launch his channel on January 26. But due to the objections raised by Prof. Swamy he didn’t get up linking and down linking permission.