President of India Referred to as ‘President of Bharat’ in Controversial G20 Dinner Invitation
Amidst a heated controversy, the invitation for the upcoming G20 dinner has sparked a debate as it referred to the President of India as the ‘President of Bharat’ instead. This move has led to criticism from various political leaders, who argue that the country’s history is being rewritten.
One of the vocal critics of this change is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who questioned the sudden alteration and emphasized the importance of using ‘India’ as the recognized name internationally. Banerjee stated that while ‘Bharat’ is commonly used in Hindi, the name ‘India’ holds global recognition. She accused the central government of rewriting history and expressed her concern about the direction the country is heading.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh also joined the debate, pointing out that the Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out the G20 dinner invitation in the name of ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the usual ‘President of India.’ Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of distorting history and dividing the nation. He highlighted that the objective of the parties in the INDIA bloc is to bring harmony, amity, reconciliation, and trust (BHARAT).
Responding to the criticism, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar defended the use of ‘Bharat,’ stating that it has always been the name of the country and will remain so. He dismissed the Congress party’s objections and emphasized his pride in being a citizen of Bharat.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also supported the use of the term ‘Bharat’ on the official G20 invitation, praising the President for prioritizing it. He regarded this as a significant statement, breaking away from the colonial mindset.
The controversy surrounding the change in the invitation raises questions about the symbolism and identity associated with the name of the country. While critics see it as a deliberate attempt to rewrite history, supporters argue that it is a move towards embracing the country’s indigenous identity.
The debate over using ‘Bharat’ or ‘India’ as the official name reflects the larger discourse on national identity and the balance between preserving tradition and adapting to a globalized world. It remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold and whether it will have any lasting impact on India’s official nomenclature internationally.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any government or political party.
