India, that is Bharat: The origin and meaning of the ancient name
President of Bharat' instead of the usual 'President of India' has kicked off a big controversy. Many see it as a precursor to possible renaming of India as Bharat in the forthcoming special session of Parliament.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it an attack on the “Union of States” while his colleague Shashi Tharoor hoped that the government would not be «so foolish as to completely dispense with “India”, which has incalculable brand value built up over centuries».
Reacting to the comments of the Congress leaders, BJP president JP Nadda remarked: «Why does the Congress has objection to every subject related to the honor and pride of the country? Why do those who do political tours in the name of Bharat Jodo and hate the slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'?»
(Also read: India to be renamed 'Bharat'? Govt may bring resolution in Parliament's special session)
What is the official name?
To be sure, India has Bharat as its another official name. Yet, to change India's name to Bharat would require an amendment to Article 1 of the Indian Constitution which names the country.
Article 1 begins with «India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States», the foundational provision that establishes the Union of India.
Article 1 reads:
India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.
The States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First Schedule
The territory of India shall comprise —
(a) the territories of the States;
(b) the Union territories specified in the First Schedule; and
© such other territories as may be acquired.
The naming of the country was debated by the drafting committee of the constitution. Before the Constitutional Assembly in 1949, the country was known as Bharat, India, and Hindustan.
