The Congress party has claimed that Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India) sent an invitation for a G20 dinner addressed as the "President of Bharat" instead of the usual "President of India".
The Congress party has raised concerns over an invitation for a G20 dinner, claiming that it was sent from Rashtrapati Bhavan (the official residence of the President of India) in the name of the “President of Bharat” rather than the usual “President of India”. This change in wording has prompted discussions and debates about the use of different names for the country in official communications.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh cited Article 1 of the Indian Constitution, which states, “Bharat, that is India, shall be a Union of States”, to highlight the use of both “Bharat” and “India” as official names for the country. He mentioned that even this “Union of States” is now under scrutiny.
Ramesh also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged attempts to distort history and divide the country, emphasizing the need to focus on unity and reconciliation. He referred to the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc’s campaign theme, “Judega Bharat, Jiteega India” (India will unite and win).
The debate about the use of “Bharat” versus “India” has been ongoing in Indian politics and society. Some argue that “Bharat” reflects the country’s ancient cultural and historical heritage, while others see “India” as a more modern and inclusive term. The use of “Bharat” in official communications can carry symbolic significance and is sometimes associated with a particular nationalist perspective.
It’s worth noting that the choice of name can be a sensitive and contentious issue in India’s diverse and multilingual society. Different political and cultural perspectives contribute to these debates, and the issue remains a topic of discussion in the country.
