Modi's 'Bharat' Nameplate at G20 Sparks Debate Over Country's Official Name

Modi's nameplate at G20 summit said "Bharat" instead of "India", sparking speculation of a name change
India is also called Bharat, Bharata, Hindustan in Indian languages
President recently referred to herself as "President of Bharat"
Modi welcomed delegates as "President of G20" and spoke in Hindi
New $300 million venue for summit called Bharat Mandapam
Some supporters say "India" was given by British colonizers, but name predates colonial rule
BJP has long insisted on calling the country Bharat
Critics say name change forced by new opposition alliance called INDIA

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/5/2023

From India to ‘Bharat’? Govt likely to bring proposal to change country's name in Parliament special session

The Indian government is considering changing the country's name from 'India' to 'Bharat' through a constitutional amendment, which would serve as a symbolic representation of the nation's cultural identity and move away from the colonial legacy.

9/6/2023

India’s ruling Hindu nationalists push ‘Bharat’ as country’s name

The Indian government's use of the term "Bharat" instead of "India" in official invitations for the G20 summit has sparked controversy and debate over the country's identity and historical associations.

9/5/2023

India or Bharat: What does our Constitution say? Explained

The Congress party alleges that the Modi government is undermining the unity of the country by referring to the President as "President of Bharat" in a G20 dinner invite, sparking concerns that the government may remove the name 'India' and recognize 'Bharat' as the official name of the country.

9/5/2023

India or Bharat? President's G20 dinner invitation sparks name-change row

Indian President Droupadi Murmu's use of the term "President of Bharat" instead of "President of India" in a dinner invitation for the G20 summit has sparked controversy over the distortion of the country's name.

9/6/2023

India vs Bharat row: Govt rejects speculation as ‘just rumours’, says ‘clearly showing mindset’

Amid speculation of a proposal to rename India to 'Bharat', Union Minister Anurag Thakur dismisses the rumors, stating that those who object to the name 'Bharat' reveal their mindset against it.

9/8/2023

India Considers Controversial Push to Change Country's Name to 'Bharat'

The invitations to a state dinner to mark India’s hosting of this year’s G20 have led to speculation about a possible renaming of the country, with some suggesting that the ruling BJP is responding to opposition parties adopting the acronym INDIA and that there is a push to change the name due to its association with colonial slavery.

9/11/2023

Gandhi Dismisses Modi's Push to Rename India, Alleges Adani Ties Driving Name Change Proposal

India's main opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plans to change the country's name from India to Bharat as "absurd," calling it a diversion tactic amid controversy over financial violations by billionaire Gautam Adani and allegations of human rights abuses.

9/15/2023

BJP Government Mulls Renaming India as 'Bharat', Sparking Debate on Hindu Nationalism vs. Colonial Legacy

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may be planning to rebrand India as "Bharat", a name associated with Hindu nationalism and resentment towards colonial rule, in an attempt to distract from opposition parties and their coalition ahead of the general election in 2024, although implementing the change would be difficult and costly.

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Posted 9/9/2023, 7:36:00 AM

Modi's 'Bharat' Nameplate at G20 Sparks Debate Over Country's Official Name

Modi's nameplate at G20 summit said "Bharat" instead of "India", sparking speculation of a name change
India is also called Bharat, Bharata, Hindustan in Indian languages
President recently referred to herself as "President of Bharat"
Modi welcomed delegates as "President of G20" and spoke in Hindi
New $300 million venue for summit called Bharat Mandapam
Some supporters say "India" was given by British colonizers, but name predates colonial rule
BJP has long insisted on calling the country Bharat
Critics say name change forced by new opposition alliance called INDIA

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/5/2023

From India to ‘Bharat’? Govt likely to bring proposal to change country's name in Parliament special session

9/6/2023

India’s ruling Hindu nationalists push ‘Bharat’ as country’s name

9/5/2023

India or Bharat: What does our Constitution say? Explained

9/5/2023

India or Bharat? President's G20 dinner invitation sparks name-change row

9/6/2023

India vs Bharat row: Govt rejects speculation as ‘just rumours’, says ‘clearly showing mindset’

Amid speculation of a proposal to rename India to 'Bharat', Union Minister Anurag Thakur dismisses the rumors, stating that those who object to the name 'Bharat' reveal their mindset against it.

9/8/2023

India Considers Controversial Push to Change Country's Name to 'Bharat'

9/11/2023

Gandhi Dismisses Modi's Push to Rename India, Alleges Adani Ties Driving Name Change Proposal

9/15/2023

BJP Government Mulls Renaming India as 'Bharat', Sparking Debate on Hindu Nationalism vs. Colonial Legacy