President’s G20 Invite Refers to ‘Bharat’ Instead of ‘India’, Sparks Debate

President Draupadi Murmu’s invitation to foreign leaders for a G20 dinner on September 9 has sparked a political debate, as it refers to her as the ‘President of Bharat’ instead of ‘President of India’.

Contents hide

1. Shift from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’

2. BJP Welcomes, Congress Objects

3. Debate Over ‘India’ vs ‘Bharat’

4. Way Forward

Shift from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’

This is being seen as the first official shift from using ‘India’ to the more traditional ‘Bharat’ in communications with other countries. The invite has drawn mixed reactions from political parties.

The term ‘Bharat’ finds mention in the Constitution’s Article 1 which states “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” The government highlights that ‘Bharat’ represents the country’s ancient civilizational roots.

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BJP Welcomes, Congress Objects

The BJP has welcomed the usage of ‘Bharat’ as it aligns with the party’s ideological position. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that this shows the country is moving towards its ‘Amrit Kaal’.

REPUBLIC OF BHARAT – happy and proud that our civilisation is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 5, 2023

कांग्रेस को देश के सम्मान एवं गौरव से जुड़े हर विषय से इतनी आपत्ति क्यों है?

भारत जोड़ो के नाम पर राजनीतिक यात्रा करने वालों को “भारत माता की जय” के उद्घोष से नफरत क्यों है?

स्पष्ट है कि कांग्रेस के मन में न देश के प्रति सम्मान है, न देश के संविधान के प्रति और न ही संवैधानिक…

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) September 5, 2023

However, the Congress has strongly objected, claiming this undermines India’s constitutional framework. Senior leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted that Article 1 may now have to be changed to ‘Bharat, that was India’.

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

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Debate Over ‘India’ vs ‘Bharat’

The India-Bharat debate intensified after the Congress-led opposition alliance adopted ‘INDIA’ as its acronym. PM Modi had then accused them of misusing the name ‘India’ to hide their misdeeds.

Now, the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s reference to ‘Bharat’ has brought this debate to the official level. While supporters see this as upholding national heritage, critics argue it erodes India’s inclusive, progressive values.

Way Forward

This nomenclature change requires wider consultation given India’s diversity. Imposing top-down changes without public discussion risks dividing society along ideological lines. An open-minded approach is needed to resolve this sensitive issue.

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