India's potential renaming: Bharat vs. India

Contemplating India's renaming as Bharat

The Narendra Modi-led government is considering the proposal to rename India as Bharat and may introduce it during the special session of Parliament scheduled from September 18 to 22. The demand for this renaming, achieved through a Constitutional amendment, has been gaining momentum.

Official communique from Rashtrapati Bhawan

An intriguing development in this regard was the official communication to G20 delegates from Rashtrapati Bhawan, which bore the inscription 'President of Bharat' instead of the customary 'President of India'. This change raised eyebrows and generated considerable discussion.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh brought this matter to public attention, stating that it signifies a larger debate about India's identity and unity. He proposed that Article 1 of the Constitution could potentially read, "Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States." However, he also expressed concern that even this "Union of States" concept was under threat.

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In his tweets, Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Modi for what he perceived as attempts to distort history and divide the nation. He reiterated the essence of India's political parties, emphasizing their shared goal of 'Bharat,' which stands for "Bring Harmony, Amity, Reconciliation, and Trust."

RSS chief advocates 'Bharat' over 'India'

Adding to this discussion, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized that the nation's historical name has always been 'Bharat' and not 'India.' He appealed for a return to using 'Bharat' as the name for the country instead of 'India.'

In summary, the prospect of renaming India as Bharat has gained traction and may be presented during a forthcoming parliamentary session. The use of 'Bharat' over 'India' has sparked a broader conversation about the nation's identity and unity, with political leaders and public figures expressing varying viewpoints on this issue.

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