In a surprising move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s placard at the opening of the G20 summit on Saturday bore the name “Bharat” for India, sparking speculation about a potential name change for the South Asian nation. While India is commonly referred to as Bharat, Bharata, or Hindustan in various Indian languages, it has traditionally retained the title “India” when communicating in English, especially for roles like president or prime minister.
This naming debate escalated further when President Droupadi Murmu referred to herself as the “President of Bharat” in an invitation to a G20 leaders’ reception. Modi’s declaration of the summit’s commencement, with a table nameplate reading “Bharat” and the G20 logo displaying both “Bharat” in Hindi and “India” in English, added fuel to the controversy.
While some proponents of the name “Bharat” argue that “India” was a colonial imposition, historians contend that the name has ancient roots predating colonial rule. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), has consistently advocated for calling the country Bharat.
Political opponents of Modi suggest that this shift may be in response to the newly formed opposition alliance, INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), comprising 28 parties, aiming to challenge the BJP in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Despite the growing debate, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office remained silent on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered. The choice between “Bharat” and “India” continues to spark discussions about identity and symbolism in the nation’s political landscape.
Reuters
