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

The BJP government may be considering renaming India as 'Bharat', which is a Hindi name and Sanskrit word referring to an ancient Hindu era.
Proponents believe 'Bharat' evokes a glorious Hindu past before colonial rule, while opponents see it as Hindu nationalist distraction from current problems.
'India' predates British colonialism, with ancient Greek origins, but was popularized abroad by the British empire.
Implementing a renaming would likely require constitutional amendment needing opposition support, which seems unlikely.
A renaming could entail high costs of rebranding India globally, undoing progress since independence.

economist.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/26/2023

How India’s Economy and Hindutva Rise Together

India is experiencing significant political and cultural changes as Hindu nationalism and neoliberal economic ideas reshape the country, benefiting new elites and the middle class while negatively impacting the working class. This transformation is influenced by the "Gujarat model" of development, characterized by collaboration between the state and the corporate sector, low wages, tax holidays, and land acquisition. Additionally, India has shifted towards the right politically, with a move towards neoliberalism leading to a market-oriented economy and a decline in social spending. This has had negative consequences for the working class, and the rise of neoliberalism has created more space for the politics of Hindutva. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has successfully cultivated support among the emerging middle class, which values individualism and the ownership of private property. With the growing influence of the middle class and the close ties between the government, industry, and finance, India has experienced a preference for governance by decree or judicial decisions rather than democratic decision-making. This has led to the dominance of Hindutva and the erosion of basic rights for minority groups.

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.

9/6/2023

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.

9/7/2023

'Bharat' vs 'India' - Hindi names divide stock market

Critics argue that the use of "Bharat" instead of "India" in a Group of 20 invitation is seen as promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda.

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.

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Posted 9/15/2023, 4:07:59 PM

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

The BJP government may be considering renaming India as 'Bharat', which is a Hindi name and Sanskrit word referring to an ancient Hindu era.
Proponents believe 'Bharat' evokes a glorious Hindu past before colonial rule, while opponents see it as Hindu nationalist distraction from current problems.
'India' predates British colonialism, with ancient Greek origins, but was popularized abroad by the British empire.
Implementing a renaming would likely require constitutional amendment needing opposition support, which seems unlikely.
A renaming could entail high costs of rebranding India globally, undoing progress since independence.

economist.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/26/2023

How India’s Economy and Hindutva Rise Together

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

9/6/2023

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.

9/7/2023

'Bharat' vs 'India' - Hindi names divide stock market

Critics argue that the use of "Bharat" instead of "India" in a Group of 20 invitation is seen as promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda.

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