G20 invite ‘President of Bharat’! Is the BJP Govt changing the name from India to Bharat?

'President of Bharat'! Is the BJP Govt changing the name from India to Bharat?
'President of Bharat'! Is the BJP Govt changing the name from India to Bharat?

The G20 Summit 2023 is scheduled in New Delhi, India, on September 9-10, 2023. It will be the 18th G20 summit and the first in India. The summit’s theme is “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.

The G20, an international forum for the world’s major economies, includes 19 countries and the European Union. The members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The invitation to the G20 foreign leaders and Chief Ministers for a dinner on September 9, 2023, was sent by Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The invitation referred to her as the “President of Bharat” instead of the “President of India.”

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Changing name to ‘Bharat’?

As seen in the picture below, the invitation sparked debate in India and abroad. People are thinking, is the BJP Govt, led by Modi, planning to change the country’s name?

This has caused controversy, with some people arguing that it is a historical and cultural inaccuracy, while others believe it is a way to reclaim India’s ancient identity.

The term “Bharat” is the Sanskrit name for India. It is mentioned in the Rig Veda, the oldest known text of Hinduism, and has been used by Indian scholars and poets for centuries. However, the term “India” is more commonly used today and is the country’s official name.

The invitation’s decision to use the term “Bharat” has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have welcomed it as a way to reclaim India’s ancient identity, while others have criticized it as ahistorical and inaccurate.

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The Ministry of External Affairs has defended using the term “Bharat,” saying that it is a way to “reflect the country’s rich and diverse culture.” However, the controversy is likely to continue, as there is no clear consensus on the issue.

Reactions from organizations

The Congress Party has said that it is “unfortunate” that the President has used the term “Bharat” instead of “India”. The party has said this is a “historical inaccuracy” and “undermines India’s unity.”

The BJP has defended using the term “Bharat,” saying it is a way to “reflect the country’s rich and diverse culture.” The party has said that “India” is a colonial construct and that “Bharat” is more accurate.

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The RSS has also welcomed the term “Bharat,” saying it is a way to “reclaim India’s ancient identity.”  

Using the term “Bharat” in the invitation is a complex issue with no easy answers. It is a matter of historical debate and political interpretation.

Or is the Indian government planning to rename the country to “Bharat”? Only time will tell.

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About Camelia Bhattacharyya 261 Articles
Camelia is an intern for PanAsiaBiz studying at the Amity University, Kolkata [B. Tech (biotechnology)]. She is fond of writing on Science, Health, and Biotechnology topics.