The government led by Narendra Modi is reportedly contemplating a proposal to rename India as “Bharat,” with plans to introduce this resolution in the country’s parliament soon, as per Indian media reports.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government is expected to present the proposal during a special parliamentary session scheduled from September 18 to 22, according to India Today.
The idea of renaming India as “Bharat” came to light when the official invitation extended to foreign leaders attending the G20 summit referred to the country’s president as “President of Bharat” for the first time in its history, instead of “President of India.”
In an invite from President Droupadi Murmu to G20 foreign leaders and chief ministers for a dinner on September 9, the term “President of Bharat” was used, as reported by NDTV. It’s worth noting that the term “Bharat” is also mentioned in the Indian Constitution, according to officials cited by NDTV.
#BREAKING: India is likely to be renamed 'Bharat,' as per the sources. pic.twitter.com/oQ3GdqFB6G
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 5, 2023
While BJP leaders have welcomed this proposed change, it has sparked a strong reaction from the opposition, particularly those associated with the “INDIA” alliance, formed to challenge the BJP in the 2024 elections.
RJD leader Manoj Jha commented, “…It has only been a few weeks since we named our alliance as INDIA, and the BJP has already begun sending invitations with ‘Republic of Bharat’ instead of ‘Republic of India.’ Article 1 of the Constitution reads ‘India that is Bharat.’ You cannot take either India or Bharat away from us.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), questioned, “Will the BJP change ‘Bharat’ to something else if the INDIA alliance changes its name to Bharat?”