The Supreme Court’s ruling that photographs of only the President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India can
feature in advertisements in newspapers and other media, including the Internet, has started a debate on why even these three personalities should be allowed if such publicity was ‘antithesis to democracy’ and could develop ‘personality cults’ at the cost of the public exchequer.

The court has barred the publication of photographs of governors and chief ministers and others, saying that institutions need not be glorified but they must earn glory by contribution and work. This might lead to some states asking for a review of the decision.