Former Times Now Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, whose new venture ‘Republic’ ran into controversy last week with Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, has filed for permission to rename his venture to ‘Republic TV’.

In a letter to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting last week, Swamy had raised concerns over Arnab Goswami’s use of the word “Republic” for his upcoming news channel.

Swamy’s argument was that the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950 prohibits the usage of certain names and emblems for professional and commercial purposes. The use of word “Republic” under item 6 of the schedule accompanying the statue, is also prohibited. This means that the grant of license to a news channel under the name “Republic” is contrary to law and will amount to the breach of Emblem act in force.