India to be called ‘Bharat’ soon? Buzz after President’s G20 dinner invite

Is our country ‘INDIA’ going to be renamed ‘Bharat’? The buzz around a possible name change by the Narendra Modi government has grown louder after a viral picture of a G20 dinner invite sent by Rashtrapati Bhawan was signed in the name of ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the convention ‘President of India’.

The Controversy Unfolds

In recent weeks, India has found itself embroiled in a significant controversy surrounding its very identity. The issue revolves around a simple yet highly symbolic alteration: a potential renaming of the nation from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat.’ This debate gained momentum when a G20 dinner invitation, typically signed by the ‘President of India,’ bore the signature ‘President of Bharat.’ What might seem like a minor detail has ignited a storm of debates, discussions, and political posturing across the nation.

Political Battleground

Predictably, this development did not go unnoticed by the opposition parties, particularly the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They wasted no time in expressing their concerns and objections. The Congress, India’s grand old political party, went a step further and accused the ruling government of attempting to rewrite history. Their suspicion is rooted in the formation of the newly forged I.N.D.I.A alliance, which they believe is the driving force behind this potential name change.

Congress Voices Concerns

Prominent Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal, Manish Tewari, and Shashi Tharoor, took to social media to voice their skepticism. Jairam Ramesh remarked on Twitter, “So the news is indeed true. Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on Sept 9th in the name of ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the usual ‘President of India’. Now, Article 1 in the Constitution can read: ‘Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States. But now even this ‘Union of States’ is under assault.” This tweet encapsulates the deep-rooted concerns over the perceived erosion of India’s identity.

BJP’s Response

In contrast, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not shy away from confronting the opposition. They counterattacked by accusing the I.N.D.I.A alliance of harboring disdain for the term ‘Bharat.’ Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan proudly shared the G20 dinner invitation, bearing the ‘Republic of Bharat’ on his social media handle. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma echoed this sentiment, referring to it as a bold step towards ‘Amrit Kaal,’ signifying a transformative era. Sarma also alluded to the name ‘I.N.D.I.A alliance’ as potentially being chosen with the intent to undermine ‘BHARAT.’

जन गण मन अधिनायक जय हे, भारत भाग्य विधाता

जय हो 🇮🇳#PresidentOfBharat pic.twitter.com/C4RmR0uGGS

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 5, 2023

Constitution of India’s Stand

At the heart of this contentious debate lies Article 1 of the Constitution of India, which provides clarity on the nation’s name. It states:

“(1) India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.

(2) The States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First Schedule.

(3) The territory of India shall comprise —

(a) the territories of the States;

(b) the Union territories specified in the First Schedule; and

(c) such other territories as may be acquired.”

The Way Forward

The debate surrounding the potential renaming of India to Bharat is more than just semantics. It touches upon identity, history, and politics. While some argue for the preservation of both names to uphold tradition and international recognition, others advocate for a singular, cohesive identity. As the nation awaits the outcome of this spirited discussion, it’s crucial to recognize that whatever the decision may be, it will shape the country’s narrative for years to come.

In conclusion, the ‘India to Bharat’ debate is a reflection of the evolving dynamics within the nation. It underscores the importance of identity in a diverse and complex society like India. Whether this change becomes a reality or remains a topic of discussion, only time will tell.

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