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India to Ditch “India” in Favor of “Bharat”?
India is considering scrapping the official use of its English name, “India”, in favor of its Sanskrit name, “Bharat”. This move is being seen as part of the government’s efforts to remove lingering symbols of British rule from the country.
The government has not yet made an official announcement about the name change, but there is speculation that it could be brought up during a special session of parliament later this month. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some people supporting it as a way to reclaim India’s cultural heritage, while others have criticized it as unnecessary and divisive.
The word “Bharat” has a long history in India. It is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures and has been used as a name for the country for centuries. The word “India” is a colonial-era name that was imposed by the British.
The government’s decision to consider changing the country’s name is part of a larger trend of Hindu nationalism in India. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused of trying to rewrite India’s history and culture to promote a Hindu-centric view.
However, the government has not yet announced any official plans to change the country’s name, but the invitation to the G20 summit has sparked speculation that a change is imminent. The invitation was sent under the name of “President of Bharat”, and it is the first time that the government has used this name in an official capacity.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh confirmed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the official G20 dinner invitations from the Indian President have been sent under the name of ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the usual ‘President of India’.
“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,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
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