India Name Change: The discussion of changing the official name of India to ‘Bharat’ has created a political uproar. Explore the origins of this controversy, opposition objections and voices in support of the name ‘India’.
In recent times, a significant political storm has erupted in India, sparked by a seemingly innocuous issue – a proposal to change the official name of the country from “India” to ‘Bharat’. The proposal, which came up in the run-up to the G-20 summit, has drawn strong reactions from various quarters. In this article, we will examine the origins of this controversy, the concerns of the opposition and the voices supporting the adoption of ‘Bharat’ as the name of the nation.
India Name Change
The origin of this controversial debate can be traced back to the issuance of invitation letters for the G-20 meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The letters included the phrase “President of India”, which sparked outrage from the Congress party, which saw it as an attack on the union of states. Thus, battle lines were drawn, with the confrontation centered around the names ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’
Objection’s Reservation
The Congress-led opposition insists that changing the country’s name is an encroachment on India’s federal structure. They argue that the Constitution clearly says, “India is.” Further, they point to Article 1 of the Constitution, which recognizes both “India” and ‘Bharat’ as the legal names of the country. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal rhetorically questioned whether the government’s unease with the INDIA alliance prompted the proposed change.
Support for ‘India’
On the other hand, supporters of ‘Bharat’ as the official name of the country argue that it is a step towards acknowledging our historical and cultural identity. Celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan and cricketer Virender Sehwag have expressed support for ‘Bharat’, seeing it as a symbol of India’s post-colonial independence. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami called it a rejection of the colonial mentality, while the ISKCON organization endorsed the name ‘Bharat’.
Conclusion: India Name Change
The debate over changing India’s name from ‘Bharat’ to ‘Bharat’ has become a focal point of political controversy. While opposition parties assert that it challenges the federal structure and historical legacy, supporters see it as a step towards embracing the country’s cultural heritage. As this debate progresses, it remains to be seen whether ‘Bharat’ will officially replace ‘Bharat’ as the name of the nation or whether this controversy will continue to dominate the political landscape.