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In a recent development, there is rising anticipation that a resolution to rename India as Bharat may be tabled, starting a discussion over the country's official name. We look into the constitutional arguments that defined the nation's identity to understand the origins of this dual nomenclature.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares, "India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States," officially recognizing both "India" and "Bharat" for juridical-political purposes. The use of both names is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural context of India.
The Congress party recently brought attention to the use of 'President of Bharat' on invites to the G20 Summit dinner, leading to discussions about a possible resolution to rename India as Bharat during the upcoming parliamentary special session.
The proposal to use only the name 'Bharat' is not new; in 2012, a Congress MP introduced a private member's bill in the Rajya Sabha advocating for this change. Proponents of 'Bharat' argue that it carries a deeper cultural and historical significance than 'India,' which primarily denotes a geographical and administrative entity.
The term 'Bharat' has ancient roots and appears in Hindu texts like the Mahabharata and Manusmriti. It is linked to Emperor Bharata, a legendary figure thought to have ruled a vast territory corresponding to modern-day India. Advocates of 'Bharat' believe it embodies the nation's rich cultural and historical heritage.
The term 'India' originates from the Indus River and was adopted by the British during colonial rule. The Constituent Assembly debates, including the use of 'Bharat' or 'India' in the Constitution, significantly shaped the nation's official identity. Forward Bloc leader Hari Vishnu Kamath suggested rephrasing Article 1 as 'Bharat.
The Constituent Assembly retained 'India, that is Bharat...' in Article 1 of the Constitution due to the country's diverse cultural and historical tapestry, post-Partition period, and need for unity and stability. The dual identity recognizes India's diverse heritage and cultural mosaic, not a renaming but a shift in emphasis.
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