India to Bharat: The Debate Over Renaming Explained
After the G20 meeting, the Indian government has called a special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22. People are guessing what new laws the government will suggest during this time. Earlier, a group led by former President Ramnath Kovind was created to explore the idea of holding all elections in the country at the same time, which led to talks about possible related laws. But now, it seems like the Modi government might propose changing the name of India to Bharat during this special Parliament session.
There could be a few reasons for this proposed name change. One reason might be to give the country a new identity. Another reason could be to promote and celebrate India’s culture and history.
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The idea of changing India’s name has been making headlines recently. Whether the Modi government will propose this change during the special Parliament session is uncertain, but let’s explore where this idea came from and why it’s gaining attention on social media.
The G20 Connection
The controversy surrounding this name change intensified following India’s participation in the G20 Summit. During the event, the official social media handle “G-20 India” was launched, and it notably used “Bharat” instead of “India.” This unconventional usage on an international platform raised eyebrows and ignited conversations about the government’s intentions. It indicated that the government might already be implementing the proposed name change in specific contexts.
This unusual use of “Bharat” instead of “India” on international platforms has raised eyebrows and intensified discussions. This move has sparked discussions about changing India’s name, but it’s important to note that this change, if it happens, will mainly affect the pronunciation of “India” in English, rather than altering the country’s name itself.
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The use of “President of Bharat” instead of the usual “President of India” on official G20 Summit invitations has caused quite a stir. This change has occurred just days before a special session of Parliament, and it’s making waves in the political landscape.
Additionally, “Bharat” has been featured in a G20 booklet designed for foreign delegates, titled “Bharat, The Mother of Democracy.” The booklet explains that “Bharat” is the country’s official name, as mentioned in the Constitution and during discussions in 1946-48.
This shift in naming conventions on the global stage is significant, especially as India prepares to host prominent world leaders such as US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This change may influence how India is perceived on the global stage and how it engages with the international community.
Furthermore, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra recently shared a document related to the Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia, referring to him as the “Prime Minister of Bharat.”
Sources suggest that the government might introduce a resolution to change the country’s name during the upcoming five-day special session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on September 18. The fact that the government has not disclosed the agenda for this special session has only fuelled speculation.
Political Reactions
The decision to use “Bharat” instead of “India” on G20 invitations has sparked strong criticism from the Opposition. Members of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc has accused the Narendra Modi government of distorting history and dividing the country. Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of senior alliance leaders to discuss this matter.
They’ve connected this government move to the formation of their alliance. Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of AAP, questioned if the ruling party would change the country’s name to ‘BJP’ if the opposition alliance decided to call itself ‘Bharat’.
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Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, emphasized that no one should have the authority to change the country’s name. He expressed confusion over why the ruling party was concerned about a name (INDIA bloc) related to the country.
On the other hand, BJP leaders have welcomed the use of “Bharat” and accused the Opposition of being anti-national and anti-constitutional. They pointed out that the term “Bharat” is also mentioned in Article 1 of the Constitution, which states that “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the decision to use ‘Bharat’ is a significant step against colonial thinking. He expressed satisfaction that this change has been made, emphasizing that ‘Bharat’ is an integral part of their identity, and the President has given it priority.
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This controversy emerged just two days after the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological mentor, suggested that the country should stop using the word India and switch to Bharat. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated, “We must stop using the word India and start using Bharat. No matter where you travel in the world, the name “Bharat” will always remain as “Bharat.” In spoken and written language, we must say Bharat.”
As the special session of Parliament approaches, the nation awaits a formal proposal on this name change. The government’s stance and the parliamentary discussion that follows will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of this debate. It will also determine how India presents itself to the world and how its citizens perceive their national identity.
In conclusion, the proposal to change India’s name to Bharat is a multifaceted issue that touches on questions of identity, history, culture, and international diplomacy. The government’s motivations and the reactions from various quarters underscore the complexity of this debate. As India stands on the precipice of potential rebranding, the nation’s soul-searching journey continues, examining what it means to be “India” or “Bharat” in the 21st century.