The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will propose a resolution for the change during a special parliamentary session.
In a surprising move, India is planning to officially change its name. The government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership will introduce a resolution for this change during a special parliamentary session scheduled in two weeks. What will India’s new official name be?
The Presidential Invitation Raises Eyebrows
The revelation about India’s plan to change its official name came to light when President Droupadi Murmu sent out invitations for a state dinner at the G20 summit. Instead of being addressed as the ‘President of India,’ the invitation mentioned her as the ‘President of Bharat.’ This raised curiosity and speculation about a potential name change.
Confirmation from Indian Congress Leader
Jairam Ramesh, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, confirmed the news in a statement. The Economic Times reported that the Modi government intends to propose a resolution to change India’s official name to ‘Bharat‘ during the special parliamentary session scheduled for September 18-22.
Ramesh stated on social media, “So, the news is indeed true.” He further explained, “The Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Residence of India) has sent out invitations for the G20 dinner on September 9, addressing the President as ‘President Bharat,’ not ‘President India’.”
He also highlighted the significance of this change by saying, “Now, Article 1 of the Constitution can be read as: ‘Bharat, formerly India, shall be a Union of States.’ But even this ‘Union of States’ is currently under attack.”
The Historical Significance of ‘Bharat’
It’s important to note that ‘Bharat’ is not a new name for India. The Indian Constitution has long recognized two names, ‘India’ and ‘Bharat.’ According to The Economic Times, Article 1 of the Indian Constitution clearly states, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
This draft of Article 1 of the Indian Constitution was adopted on September 18, 1949, and it remains the most significant statement that defines the country’s official name.
The Implications of the Name Change
The proposed name change from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’ carries several implications, both culturally and politically:
Cultural Identity: The name ‘Bharat’ has deep historical and cultural roots in India, tracing back to ancient scriptures and mythology. By officially adopting ‘Bharat’ as the country’s name, India may seek to emphasize its rich cultural heritage.
Language and Unity: India is a linguistically diverse country with hundreds of languages spoken across its regions. ‘Bharat’ is a name that transcends linguistic boundaries and is commonly used across India’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Nationalism: The move can be seen as a reaffirmation of national identity and pride. By using ‘Bharat,’ India may want to emphasize its indigenous identity and reduce the colonial legacy associated with the name ‘India.’
Constitutional Amendment: Changing the official name of a country requires a constitutional amendment. This process involves significant political deliberation and debate in the Indian Parliament.
International Relations: India’s name change may have diplomatic implications as well. Other countries, international organizations, and agreements that refer to ‘India’ would need to adapt to the new name ‘Bharat’ in their official dealings with the country.
It remains to be seen how this proposed name change will be received within India and on the international stage. The special parliamentary session in September will likely be a pivotal moment in this historic transition.
