G20 Dinner Invitation Stirs Enthusiasm For Bharat’s President

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).

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.

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.”

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.”

This change in terminology underscores the evolving identity of India, embracing its historical roots as “Bharat” on the global stage.