The recent invitation to India to host the G20 summit in 2023 has sparked rumors that the country may change its name from India to Bharat. The invitation, which was extended by the current G20 president, Indonesia, referred to India as “the Republic of India” and “Bharat.” This has led some to believe that the Indian government may be considering changing the country’s name to Bharat, which is its ancient name.
The opposition has reacted to the rumors with mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the idea, saying that it would be a way to reclaim India’s cultural heritage. Others have dismissed the rumors as speculation, saying that there is no concrete evidence to support them.
The Indian government has not commented on the rumors. However, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the invitation to host the G20 summit is a “matter of great pride” for India.
Rumors about India changing its name have been circulating for several years. In 2019, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government proposed a bill to change the country’s name to “Bharat.” However, the bill was not passed by Parliament.
The BJP has been pushing for the name change, arguing that it would be a way to reclaim India’s cultural heritage. The party has also said that the name “Bharat” is more inclusive of all Indians, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
It is still unclear whether India will change its name to Bharat. However, the recent invitation to host the G20 summit has certainly added fuel to the rumors. The Indian government will need to decide whether to address the rumors or to let them die down on their own.
Here are some of the reactions from the opposition:
- The Congress Party said that the name change is “unnecessary and divisive.”
- The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said that the name change is “a gimmick” by the BJP.
- The Trinamool Congress said that the name change is “a waste of time and money.”
The opposition has also raised concerns about the implications of the name change for India’s international relations. They argue that the name change could damage India’s reputation and make it more difficult to do business with other countries.
Only time will tell whether India will change its name to Bharat. However, the recent invitation to host the G20 summit has certainly put the issue back in the spotlight.
A short history of India and Bharat names
The name “India” has been used to refer to the Indian subcontinent for centuries. However, the name “Bharat” is also an ancient name for the region. The name “Bharat” is derived from the name of the Vedic tribe Bharatas, who are mentioned in the Rig Veda, the oldest surviving text of Hinduism.
The name “India” is thought to have originated from the Indus River, which flows through the northwestern part of the subcontinent. The Persians called the Indus River “Hindus,” and the Greeks adopted this name and called the region “India.”
The name “Bharat” was revived during the Indian independence movement. The Indian National Congress, the leading political party of the independence movement, adopted the name “Bharat” in 1920. The name “Bharat” was also used by the Constituent Assembly of India, which drafted the Constitution of India.
The Constitution of India uses both the names “India” and “Bharat.” Article 1 of the Constitution states that “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” This means that the official name of the country is “India,” but the name “Bharat” is also recognized as an alternative name.
Use of Name Bharat
The use of both names “India” and “Bharat” reflects the diversity of the Indian subcontinent. The name “India” is more commonly used in the English-speaking world, while the name “Bharat” is more commonly used in the Hindi-speaking world.
The use of the name “Bharat” has also been seen as a way to reclaim India’s cultural heritage. The name “Bharat” is associated with the Vedic period, which is considered to be the golden age of Indian civilization.
The name “Bharat” is a matter of debate in India. Some people believe that the name “India” is more inclusive of all Indians, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. Others believe that the name “Bharat” is more authentically Indian and that it should be used as the official name of the country.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use the name “India” or the name “Bharat” is a political one. The Indian government will need to decide what name it believes best represents the country and its people.
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