G20 Summit
In a historic move, the official invitation to foreign leaders attending the G20 summit has replaced the traditional “President of India” with “President of Bharat.” This alteration signifies a significant change in nomenclature on the international stage as Bharat hosts this prestigious event, graced by the presence of US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, among others.
The invitation, extended by President Droupadi Murmu, has caught global attention for this unique terminology adjustment. It marks the first instance of India altering its nomenclature for an official event.
Notably, the term “Bharat” is enshrined in the Indian Constitution, specifically in Article 1, which reads, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” This change aims to emphasize India’s historical identity as Bharat.
Furthermore, the G20 summit has introduced the term “Bharat” in its official booklet, titled “Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy.” This booklet underscores India’s G20 presidency and its rich democratic heritage, dating back thousands of years.
“In Bharat that is India, taking the consent of the people in governance has been part of life since earliest recorded history,” states the booklet, highlighting the deep-rooted democratic ethos of Bharat. It also acknowledges “Bharat” as the official name of the country, as specified in the Constitution and historical discussions.
This shift in nomenclature has elicited diverse reactions. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed pride in this change, referring to the nation as the “Republic of Bharat.” On the other hand, opposition parties, such as the RJD and AAP, voiced concerns and questioned the timing of this shift, connecting it to their alliance’s name, “INDIA” (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).
REPUBLIC OF BHARAT – happy and proud that our civilisation is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 5, 2023
गुलामी की मानसिकता पर एक और गहरी चोट..
G20 समिट के दौरान राष्ट्रपति भवन में आयोजित होने वाले रात्रि भोज के निमंत्रण पत्र पर “The President of Bharat” लिखा जाना प्रत्येक देशवासी के लिए गौरव का क्षण है।
भारत माता की जय ! pic.twitter.com/IdAgHGRt36
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) September 5, 2023
The political debate intensified, with BJP leaders defending the change while accusing the opposition of being “anti-national” and “anti-constitution.” The RSS, the ruling party’s ideological mentor, had previously advocated for using “Bharat” as the country’s name.
Article 52 – Constitution of India.
There shall be a President of INDIA
Can’t get more explicit than this – Can it ??????? pic.twitter.com/9OoPcLBktW
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) September 5, 2023
This debate over “India” versus “Bharat” gained momentum when the opposition alliance adopted the acronym “INDIA” in July. It led to a war of words, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the opposition of attempting to conceal their “sins” by misusing the name “INDIA.”
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
The nomenclature shift has not only ignited political discussions but has also resonated with cultural sentiments, as reflected in Amitabh Bachchan’s succinct tweet: “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
T 4759 – 🇮🇳 भारत माता की जय 🚩
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 5, 2023
This change in terminology underscores the evolving identity of India, embracing its historical roots as “Bharat” on the global stage.
