In a potentially historic move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rumored to present a resolution for renaming the country “Bharat” during an upcoming five-day special parliamentary session starting on September 18. The Indian Constitution currently recognizes the nation as “India, that is Bharat…” However, there is growing demand to simplify it to just “Bharat.”
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Proponents of the name change argue that adopting a single indigenous name would foster a stronger sense of national pride and reinforce the nation’s rich cultural heritage. This sentiment has intensified over time, leading to speculation that New Delhi may indeed propose a resolution for renaming the country.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his support for the change on social media, referring to it as the “Republic of Bharat.” The move has garnered political attention, with Congress suggesting that Article 1 of the Constitution could read, “‘Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States.” They argue that even this “Union of States” is now under scrutiny.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has defended the use of the name “Bharat,” questioning Congress’s objections. BJP leader JP Nadda criticized Congress, suggesting that they lack respect for the country, its constitution, and its institutions. This controversy has extended to political yatras (journeys) that invoke the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, questioned the sudden need to change India’s name to “Bharat.” In contrast, Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, has supported this change. Bhagwat has previously encouraged referring to the nation as “Bharat” instead of “India,” emphasizing the historical use of the term.
Prime Minister Modi has echoed these sentiments in his speeches, calling for a rejection of colonial influences and the embrace of India’s indigenous identity. This symbolic move was made on India’s Independence Day in 2022.
Notably, a specially designated aircraft used for the transportation of the Indian president, vice president, and prime minister already bears the name “Bharat.”
As the special parliamentary session approaches, there is anticipation that a constitutional amendment bill may be introduced to enact this significant change. The move represents not only a potential shift in nomenclature but also a reflection of evolving national identity and pride.
