NEW DELHI: BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav has called for changing the name of the country from 'India' to 'Bharat' and omitting the same from the Indian Constitution with immediate effect. Harnath Singh Yadav said that the word 'India' was used by the Britishers as an abuse.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the BJP MP said, "The entire country is demanding that we should use the word 'Bharat' instead of 'India'...The word 'India' is an abuse given to us by the British whereas the word 'Bharat' is a symbol of our culture...I want there should be a change in our Constitution and the word 'Bharat' should be added to it..."
#WATCH | BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav says "The entire country is demanding that we should use the word 'Bharat' instead of 'India'...The word 'India' is an abuse given to us by the British whereas the word 'Bharat' is a symbol of our culture...I want there should be a change in… pic.twitter.com/TkOl3Ieuer
— ANI (@ANI) September 5, 2023
It may be noted that the India versus Bharat debate has intensified ever since the Opposition alliance adopted the acronym INDIA - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance - in July. Just recently, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat made a similar statement regarding changing the name of India to Bharat. Mohan Bhagwat said that regardless of whether people understand it or not, we should not say "India" but should say "Bharat" instead. Additionally, BJP Member of Parliament Naresh Bansal also raised this issue in the Rajya Sabha.
What Is Harnath Singh Yadav's Demand?
BJP's Member of Parliament Harnath Singh Yadav said, "I am not running this campaign; the entire country is demanding it. This sentiment is coming from all parts of the country.RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has also appealed to call it "Bharat" and not use any other name. "Bharat" is a word filled with passion. It is a living word. It gives us energy. A sense of devotion is associated with it. It is not just limited to India."
How Did The Name 'India' Come About?
Harnath Singh Yadav further explained that the word "India" was given by the British. "In their view, we were an ignorant community. Wherever they felt that people were ignorant, had a criminal mindset, or were foolish, they used the word "India" for them. People with such a mentality here would mislead others by saying that the English came via the Indus River, so they couldn't say "Sindh" and instead said "India." Hence, gradually, "Ind" became "India," he stated.
Jairam Ramesh Reacts To BJP MP's Demand
While BJP leaders welcomed the move, the demand to change the name drew a sharp response from the Opposition. The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the "Union of States" is under assault by the Modi government as it claimed that a G20 dinner invite refers to the President as "President of Bharat".
So the news is indeed true.
Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on Sept 9th in the name of 'President of Bharat' instead of the usual 'President of India'.
Now, Article 1 in the Constitution can read: “Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States.”…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 5, 2023
"So the news is indeed true. Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on Sept 9th in the name of 'President of Bharat' instead of the usual 'President of India'," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Now, Article 1 in the Constitution can read: 'Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States'. But now even this "Union of States" is under assault," he alleged.
In another post, Ramesh said, "Mr Modi can continue to distort history and divide India, that is Bharat, that is a Union of States. But we will not be deterred. After all, what is the objective of INDIA parties? It is BHARAT—Bring Harmony, Amity, Reconciliation And Trust. Judega BHARAT Jeetega INDIA!"
