The decision to use ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’ in official communications has ignited a political debate, coinciding with the upcoming special parliamentary session.
International Implications:
The usage of ‘Bharat’ on official G20 Summit invitations and in a booklet titled “Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy” has global significance, as India prepares to host world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
BJP’s Public References to ‘Bharat’:
Notably, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra referred to the Prime Minister as the “Prime Minister of Bharat” in a document related to his visit to Indonesia. Indian officials’ identity cards for the G20 Summit will now feature ‘Bharat – Official.’
Possible Government Resolution:
Sources indicate that the government may propose a resolution to officially change the country’s name during the five-day special parliamentary session, commencing on September 18. The absence of a declared agenda for the session has added to the speculation.
Opposition’s Criticism:
Opposition parties, forming the ‘INDIA bloc,’ vehemently criticized the move, accusing the Narendra Modi government of distorting history and fostering division in the country. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal even posed a hypothetical scenario, questioning whether the ruling party would rename the nation ‘BJP’ if the opposition alliance chose ‘Bharat.’
Sharad Pawar’s Perspective:
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar emphasized that changing the country’s name is unwarranted, highlighting that the ruling party should not be concerned about a name related to the country.
BJP’s Defense:
In defense of the ‘Bharat’ nomenclature, BJP leaders argued that it aligns with Article 1 of the Constitution, which states, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” They accused the Opposition of being anti-national and anti-constitutional.
Union Minister’s Support:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the decision to use ‘Bharat,’ considering it a significant step against the colonial mindset. He emphasized that ‘Bharat’ is a source of pride for the nation.
RSS Chief’s Influence:
The controversy surfaced shortly after the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological mentor, suggested that the country should transition from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat.’ RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized the importance of using ‘Bharat’ in spoken and written discourse.
The renaming controversy, driven by political and historical considerations, has ignited a fiery debate in India’s political landscape. As the special parliamentary session approaches, the nation awaits the outcome of this contentious issue.
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