Is India’s name really being changed?
The Indian President, Droupadi Murmu, recently sent out an invitation for a G20 dinner. Instead of 'President of India,' the invitation said 'President of Bharat.' This has made many people wonder if the government is planning to change India's name to Bharat.
There has not been an official confirmation about the name change yet. But, some people think the special five-day Parliament session starting on 18th September 2023 might be related to this.
Why would India’s name be changed?
The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) wants to remove all signs of British rule. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi often calls India 'Bharat.' This term comes from ancient Hindu texts written in Sanskrit.
Some BJP members have asked to change India's name because it was given during British rule.
What has to be done to change the name?
Experts say that in Article 1 of the Constitution, it is written that “India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states." These two terms are not interchangeable. Changing India to Bharat would require many changes in the Constitution.
Everywhere it says 'India,' it will have to be changed to 'Bharat.' A country can only have one name. Using both can be confusing.
What is everybody’s reaction regarding the name change?
Many people from the BJP want to change the name. Some others, like Virender Sehwag, a former Indian cricketer, also want to change it. But, the opposition parties are against it.
On social media, people are asking if places like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the State Bank of India (SBI) will have to change their names. Some are wondering what will happen to passports that say 'Republic of India' on the front. We'll have to wait and see what the Indian government decides.
