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New Delhi CNN – A political controversy has erupted over the name used to refer to India, with dinner invites for the G20 summit fueling a public debate on the country’s history and colonial legacy. The invites, issued by the “President of Bharat” instead of the customary “President of India,” have sparked discussions over what the country should be called. The dinner, hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, will welcome world leaders from the top 20 global economies. The use of “Bharat” on the invites marks a significant departure from the naming convention used by India on the international stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
India and Bharat are both officially used in the nation of 1.4 billion people, which boasts over 20 official languages. While Bharat is the Hindi word for India and is used interchangeably, the invites represent a deliberate change in the country’s international representation. Prime Minister Modi aims to elevate India’s global standing during the G20 summit, as he has been vocal about shedding the country’s colonial past and liberating itself from a “slave mentality.” The name “India” is seen by many as a remnant of the British Empire’s rule over the country, whereas “Bharat” is considered a symbol of Indian culture.
The debate over the names “India” and “Bharat” has drawn attention from various quarters. Harnath Singh Yadav, a BJP politician, argued that “India” was an abusive term bestowed upon the country by the British, while “Bharat” represents its true cultural identity. Former India cricket star Virender Sehwag also joined the conversation, urging cricket officials to use “Bharat” on players’ shirts during the upcoming Men’s Cricket World Cup. Efforts to distance India from its colonial past have been underway during Modi’s tenure. The government has renamed roads and buildings associated with both India’s Mughal and colonial history in an attempt to remove any remnants of a colonial mindset.
However, the use of “Bharat” on the G20 invites has raised concerns among opposition leaders. Shashi Tharoor, a former diplomat and prominent lawmaker from the main opposition Congress party, expressed reservations about completely dispensing with the name “India,” which holds significant brand value internationally. He called on the government to recognize the value built over centuries and not ignore it entirely. Tharoor, who authored “Inglorious Empire,” a critique of British rule in India, is part of an alliance of 26 opposition parties formed to challenge Modi in the next general election. The alliance, known as INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), aims to uphold democratic institutions in the country.
The use of “Bharat” by the government is seen by some opposition politicians as a response to the formation of the INDIA alliance. Raghav Chadha, a lawmaker from the Aam Aadmi Party and a member of the alliance, criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s attempt to modify the country’s national identity for political gain. However, India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, defended the use of “Bharat” by stating that it is in the constitution and carries a specific meaning and connotation. The debate over the country’s name raises questions about its historical background, cultural identity, and the impact of its colonial legacy.
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