India is embroiled in a heated debate over its name, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government causing a stir by referring to the country as “Bharat” on official invitations. This move, which has sparked widespread discussions, stems from a long-standing dispute over whether to officially rename India as Bharat.
The dispute goes back several years, with a 2016 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to change the country’s name from India to Bharat. During that time, the Modi government opposed the plea, and the matter has remained unresolved since then.
The BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi, has been advocating for the change, arguing that the term “India” is a symbol of colonial slavery. In the official invitations sent to guests attending the Group of 20 (G20) summit this week, the President of India was referred to as the “President of Bharat.” Furthermore, a senior spokesman of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) referred to Modi as the “prime minister of Bharat” during a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Indonesia.
India’s constitution officially recognizes the country as both India and Bharat, with Hindustan being another term for the nation. While these names are used interchangeably, “India” is the most commonly used name globally. Critics of the BJP’s name-changing efforts argue that it is an attempt to erase historical references, particularly those linked to the Mughal and colonial periods, from India’s history. The renaming of places and landmarks associated with these periods has drawn criticism from those who view it as an act of intolerance.
The opposition, led by the Indian National Congress party, has expressed concerns over abandoning the name “India.” While there is no constitutional objection to using “Bharat,” they emphasize the brand value and historical recognition associated with the name “India.” The BJP counters these arguments by asserting that “India” is a colonial-era name and a symbol of slavery. They argue that the country has been known as “Bharat” for thousands of years.
The Indian government has scheduled a special parliamentary session from September 18 to 22, leading to speculation that the name change might be on the agenda. However, some government officials dismiss this as mere rumors spread by the opposition. Political and electoral considerations play a significant role in this debate, with experts suggesting that Prime Minister Modi may be responding to increasing pressure from the opposition. The opposition parties have formed an alliance, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), with the potential name change becoming a key issue in the upcoming 2024 general election.
As the country awaits the outcome of the parliamentary session, the India-Bharat name dispute continues to divide public opinion and political circles.
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