Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
India

India's government replaces 'India' with ancient name 'Bharat' in dinner invitation to G20 guests

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Sep, 2023 12:33 PM
  • India's government replaces 'India' with ancient name 'Bharat' in dinner invitation to G20 guests

NEW DELHI (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has replaced the name India with a Sanskrit word in dinner invitations sent to guests attending this week's Group of 20 summit, in a move that reflects his Hindu nationalist party’s efforts to eliminate what it sees as colonial-era names.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu is referred to as “President of Bharat” instead of “President of India” in the invitation sent to G20 attendees. The nation of more than 1.4 billion people is officially known by two names, India and Bharat, but the former is most commonly used, both domestically and internationally.

Bharat is an ancient Sanskrit word which many historians believe dates back to early Hindu texts. The word also means India in Hindi.

The change in nomenclature is backed by officials of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. They argue that the name India was introduced by British colonials and is a “symbol of slavery.” The British ruled India for about 200 years until the country gained independence in 1947.

“Another blow to slavery mentality,” the top elected official of Uttarakhand state, Pushkar Singh Dhami, said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Dhami, who is a leader of Modi's governing party, shared the dinner invitation sent to G20 guests in his post.

Modi’s party has long tried to erase names related to India’s Mughal and colonial past.

In 2015, New Delhi’s famous Aurangzeb Road, named after a Mughal king, was changed to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Road after protests from Modi’s party leaders. Last year, the government also renamed a colonial-era avenue in the heart of New Delhi that is used for ceremonial military parades.

Modi’s government says the name changes are an effort to reclaim India’s Hindu past.

India’s opposition parties, however, criticized the move.

“While there is no constitutional objection to calling India “Bharat,” which is one of the country’s two official names, I hope the government will not be so foolish as to completely dispense with “India,” which has incalculable brand value built up over centuries,” opposition lawmaker Shashi Tharoor said on X.

Tharoor said Indians should “continue to use both words rather than relinquish our claim to a name redolent of history, a name that is recognized around the world.”

Disputes over “India” versus “Bharat” have gained ground since opposition parties in July announced a new alliance — called INDIA — to unseat Modi and defeat his party ahead of national elections in 2024. The acronym stands for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

Since then, some officials in Modi’s party have demanded that the country be called Bharat instead of India.

MORE India ARTICLES

Mumbai Airport boundary wall crash sparks security concerns

Mumbai Airport boundary wall crash sparks security concerns
A portion of the perimeter wall, extending upto 15 feet, near gate number 27 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport crashed down on Sunday, leading to security concerns, officials said here on Monday. 

Mumbai Airport boundary wall crash sparks security concerns

Punjab Police bust module linked with foreign-based terrorists

Punjab Police bust module linked with foreign-based terrorists
The arrested has been identified as Gurbhej Singh of Tarn Taran. He has a criminal background and had recently been released from Goindwal Sahib Central Jail. Police have also named Sukhdeep Singh, Lakhbir Singh, Satnam Singh, Yadwinder Singh, and Baaghi Singh in the FIR.

Punjab Police bust module linked with foreign-based terrorists

Mann, Kejriwal open 80 more Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab

Mann, Kejriwal open 80 more Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab
Addressing the gathering, Mann said with this 580 Aam Aadmi Clinics are now operational in the state. He said these clinics have been dedicated to the people in three phases. He said these clinics have already proved to be a cornerstone in imparting quality health services to people.

Mann, Kejriwal open 80 more Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab

Kejriwal dares Modi to 'hang him' if corruption charges proved against him

Kejriwal dares Modi to 'hang him' if corruption charges proved against him
In his address at an event in Punjab's Ludhiana city after dedicating 80 Aam Aadmi Clinics, Kejriwal said the central government has put probe agencies after him to prove "by any means" that he is "a thief".

Kejriwal dares Modi to 'hang him' if corruption charges proved against him

Akali Dal seeks arrest of AAP minister for 'sexual misconduct'

Akali Dal seeks arrest of AAP minister for 'sexual misconduct'
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Majithia on Friday demanded the dismissal and arrest of Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak after allegations that he allegedly committed unnatural sexual offence with a minor boy. 

Akali Dal seeks arrest of AAP minister for 'sexual misconduct'

Excise policy case: Now, ED charge sheet names Manish Sisodia

Excise policy case: Now, ED charge sheet names Manish Sisodia
This is the first time that the ED has named Sisodia in its charge sheet in the matter. Earlier, the CBI, which is conducting a parallel probe into the excise policy case, had named Sisodia in its supplementary charge sheet.

Excise policy case: Now, ED charge sheet names Manish Sisodia