India vs Bharat: A look at 2023's political controversy that stirred the dynamics of a nation's name
INDIA bloc as the motley group of opposition parties called themselves pilloried the Modi government as it took the wind out of its sails by reminding everyone that Article 1 of our Constitution starts with the words India, that is Bharat.
That Bharat is as relevant, if not more, as India got a resounding vote of confidence from the Modi government as it got prominently displayed on plaques at official G20 events and President’s dinner invite.
As the year 2023 ends, let's look at one of the major political controversies that sparked debate over a country's name.
BJP's vocal support:
Prominent leaders within the BJP, including Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have fervently endorsed the 'Bharat' renaming proposal.
Sarma went to X (formerly Twitter) to express his enthusiasm, proclaiming, «REPUBLIC OF BHARAT — happy and proud that our civilization is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL.»
These endorsements underscore a broader political narrative where the BJP associates 'India' with a colonial legacy.
Opposition critique:
Amidst the fervor, opposition figures, particularly Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, have criticized the renaming concept.
Kejriwal questioned whether the BJP would alter 'Bharat' if the opposition alliance adopted the name 'Bharat.' Singh, in a post on X alleged that the RSS, led by Mohan Bhagwat, aims to change the Constitution by removing the word 'India.'
'India' a symbol of colonial slavery?
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal had in Parliament pitched the proposal of changing the country's name in the monsoon session, saying that the name 'India' is a symbol of «colonial
