Introduction
In a surprising turn of events, President Droupadi Murmu’s invitations to foreign leaders for a G20 dinner on September 9 have caused a major stir. The invites, which traditionally bore the title “President of India,” now feature the phrase “President of Bharat.” This change in nomenclature has ignited a political debate and drawn mixed reactions from various quarters.
The alteration in the official invites marks a significant shift in terminology on the international stage as India prepares to host prominent world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Intense Discussion Flamed
The move has prompted intense discussions within the political arena, with the opposition accusing the ruling BJP of attempting to rebrand the nation for political gain. Amid speculation about the government possibly formalizing this change in parliament during a five-day special session starting on September 18, opposition parties held meetings to strategize their response.
The opposition’s concerns are exacerbated by the recent adoption of the acronym “INDIA” (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) for their front to challenge the BJP in the 2024 elections. They argue that the government’s switch to “Bharat” is linked to their alliance’s name.
While some BJP leaders welcomed the use of “Bharat,” asserting that it aligns with Article 1 of the Constitution, which states, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States,” others questioned the motive behind this change. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised the possibility of the government changing the country’s name again if the opposition alliance renamed itself “Bharat.”
The controversy took a heated turn when RJD leader Manoj Jha emphasized that neither “India” nor “Bharat” could be taken away from the people. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor suggested that completely dropping the name “India” would be unwise.
BJP president JP Nadda retaliated by labeling the Congress as “anti-national” and “anti-constitution.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, recently suggested discarding the term “India” in favor of “Bharat,” sparking further debate and speculation.
It’s worth noting that the use of “Bharat” extends beyond the invitations; a G20 booklet intended for foreign delegates is also titled “Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy.”
Conclusion
As the country grapples with this controversy, it remains to be seen whether this change in nomenclature is merely symbolic or if it will lead to more significant shifts in India’s identity on the global stage. The debate over “India” versus “Bharat” continues to evolve, with political ramifications that could extend well into the future.
