Should India Rename Itself ‘Bharat’? Debate Ignites Among Indian Netizens
A lively debate has sparked among Indian netizens regarding the possibility of renaming India as ‘Bharat.’ The discussion commenced after a snapshot of an official invitation to a G20 dinner in New Delhi went viral on social media platform X.
The invitation, sent on behalf of The President of Bharat, invited guests to a prestigious formal dress dinner taking place on September 9th. This date coincides with the G20 summit, which will gather the world’s 20 largest economies in India.
‘Bharat’ is a term derived from the Sanskrit language and is often used interchangeably with India. Interestingly, India’s constitution recognizes this alternative name, stating, India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.
Notably, forces within India’s ruling political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have recently proposed a constitutional amendment to officially rename the country as Bharat. BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav expressed the sentiment, stating, 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.
Indian nationalists quickly embraced this opportunity, fueling the ongoing debate. One Twitter user, @BattaKashmiri, shared a video featuring renowned Indian Yoga teacher Sadhguru, who highlighted the historical significance of name changes when territories are occupied by conquering forces. The tweet argued that renaming India as Bharat would restore its lost identity and greatness.
Supporters of the name change echoed this sentiment. @SpeckOfDust79 remarked, The nation has always been ‘Bharat,’ and it should be ‘Bharat.’ It’s time to shed off all symbols of slavery. They emphasized that Bharat represents not only a geographical entity but a rich civilization, culture, and diverse heritage.
However, some users challenged the rationale behind the proposed name change. @swapnilzs asserted, It’s Bharat in Hindi/regional languages and India is English…Govt has done it just to introduce ‘Bharat’ name to the world using G20’s platform. Responding to this, @imyogak clarified that Bharat is a Sanskrit term dating back over 2000 years, disassociating it from any particular regional language.
Amidst the debate, some users questioned the significance of the name change altogether. @suresh348377573 pointed out, Are we and our children truly following Indian traditions in food, clothing, culture, education, religion, and societal values? NO. So what are we going to achieve by calling it Bharat? Another name change. That’s all.
While opinions are divided, it is clear that the proposal to rename India as Bharat has generated fervent discussions among Indian netizens. Whether the name change will become a reality remains to be seen, but it represents an important conversation about identity, culture, and the nation’s historical roots.
In the meantime, the nation anticipates how the dialogue surrounding this topic will unfold, as Indians engage in conversations about their country’s name and its connection to their shared heritage.
