New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked his ministers to stay away from "Bharat-India" political row and refrain from making remarks on the issue. "Do not comment," sources quoted him as saying at a meeting of the Council of ministers where G20 and other issues were discussed.
This is the first time PM Modi is learnt to have discussed the subject with his ministers.
Over the last 24 hours, the Opposition has held two meetings to chalk out a gameplan over the issue. This morning, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi wrote to PM Modi, suggesting a list of nine subjects that can be discussed at the special session of parliament beginning on September 18.
G-20 invite using word Bharat instead of India has fuelled speculation that government could change country’s name.
An invite sent to leaders of G-20 Summit has referred to President Droupadi Murmu as “President of Bharat” instead of India, fueling speculation that the government plans to rename the country.
Later, a spokesperson for the ruling BJP shared an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia that refers to him as the “Prime Minister of Bharat.”
Currently, the Indian Constitution has both India and the Sanskrit word Bharat, making them the official names of the country.
However, locally and around the world, India is the more commonly used one.
The call for renaming India as Bharat through a Constitutional amendment has gained momentum, with sources indicating that the government may introduce a resolution to effect the change.
On August 15, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed similar sentiments during his speech from the Red Fort's ramparts, urging citizens to make five pledges, including breaking free from every trace of slavery. This gesture was widely interpreted as a symbolic embrace of the nation's indigenous identity.
Controversy began after opposition formed alliance named INDIA?
The controversy over the name INDIA started when 28 opposition parties formed an alliance. The first meeting of the alliance was held in Bengaluru on 18 July. In this the alliance was named INDIA. After this, the BJP attacked the Opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi named it an arrogant alliance instead of INDIA. The opposition had countered by saying, why does BJP have so much problem in the name INDIA?
Members of India’s opposition parties have claimed it is a politically motivated move in response to the opposition banding together as part of the newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or “INDIA,” for the 2024 general elections.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has said that after the Opposition formed an alliance named INDIA, they are changing the name of the country. If the India Alliance holds a meeting tomorrow and changes its name to Bharat, will they (ruling BJP) change the name Bharat as well and will they rename it as India?
Modi had given India name to many schemes: Cong
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said PM Modi had given India name to many schemes like 'Make in India', 'Skill India' ‘Shining India’ etc.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, however, said “there is no constitutional objection to calling India “Bharat”, which is one of the country’s two official names.”
“I hope the government will not be so foolish as to completely dispense with “India”, which has incalculable brand value built up over centuries,” he wrote.
“We should continue to use both words rather than relinquish our claim to a name that is recognized around the world.”
BJP leaders have welcomed the move
On the other hand the BJP leaders have welcomed the move to name India as Bharat. Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar said the Opposition has a problem with everything but we don't have. The name of my country was 'Bharat' and will always remain 'Bharat'. If the Congress has a problem with it, then they should find a solution for it themselves, he said.
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said, why is there a problem in the name Bharat? Why is the Opposition feeling ashamed of this name? Our nation has been called Bharat since ancient times. Opposition is unnecessarily trying to create misunderstanding, Chugh said.
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