In a surprising turn of events, the use of ‘President of Bharat’ on official G20 Summit invitations, as opposed to the traditional ‘President of India,’ has set the political landscape ablaze. This development comes just days before a special parliamentary session, adding a new layer of intrigue to the unfolding story.
Top 10 Updates on This Significant Development:
1. Bharat on the Global Stage:
The term “Bharat” has also found its way into a G20 booklet designed for foreign delegates, titled “Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy.” This booklet highlights that “Bharat” is the official name of the country, a fact enshrined in the Constitution and dating back to discussions in 1946-48.
2. A Shift in International Nomenclature:
This shift in nomenclature carries global significance as India prepares to host world leaders such as US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
3. BJP’s Endorsement:
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra shared a document referring to the Prime Minister as the “Prime Minister of Bharat” during his visit to Indonesia. Additionally, the identity cards of Indian officials at the upcoming G20 Summit will bear the label ‘Bharat – Official.’
4. Possible Name Change:
Speculation is rife that the government may propose a resolution to officially change the country’s name during the forthcoming five-day special parliamentary session starting on September 18. The absence of a published agenda for the session has only intensified conjecture.
5. Opposition’s Critique:
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition, particularly the members of the Opposition INDIA bloc, who accuse the Narendra Modi government of “distorting history and dividing India.”
6. A Name for an Alliance:
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal questioned whether the ruling party would consider renaming the country ‘BJP’ if the opposition alliance decided to adopt the name “Bharat.”
7. Defending Tradition:
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar firmly asserted that no one should have the authority to alter the country’s name. He questioned the ruling party’s concern over a name (INDIA bloc) associated with the nation.
8. Constitutional Justification:
BJP leaders welcomed the use of “Bharat” and accused the Opposition of being anti-national and anti-constitutional. They pointed out that “Bharat” is mentioned in Article 1 of the Constitution, which reads: “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
9. Breaking Free from Colonial Roots:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the decision to use ‘Bharat’ as a bold statement against the colonial mindset. He expressed satisfaction in embracing ‘Bharat’ as an integral part of the nation’s identity.
10. RSS Chief’s Endorsement:
The controversy erupted just two days after the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological mentor, advocated for the abandonment of ‘India’ in favor of ‘Bharat,’ emphasizing the global recognition and universality of the name.
Conclusion:
The decision to replace ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ on international platforms has sparked a fierce debate, with proponents citing historical and constitutional backing, while critics accuse the government of tampering with the country’s identity. As the special parliamentary session looms, the nation watches closely to see if ‘Bharat’ will become the new official name.
FAQ:
Q1: Why is the government considering changing the country’s name to ‘Bharat’?
A1: The government is contemplating this change to align with historical and constitutional references and possibly to emphasize the country’s indigenous identity.
Q2: What is the Opposition’s stance on this issue?
A2: The Opposition is critical of the move, alleging that it distorts history and divides the country, with some members proposing their own name change as a counterpoint.
Q3: Is there constitutional support for the use of ‘Bharat’?
A3: Yes, ‘Bharat’ is mentioned in Article 1 of the Constitution, which establishes “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States” as the nation’s official name.
Q4: What is the RSS chief’s perspective on this issue?
A4: The RSS chief has endorsed the use of ‘Bharat’ over ‘India,’ emphasizing its universal acceptance and recognition across the world.