Controversy Erupts Over Use of ‘Bharat’ Vs ‘India’ in G20 Dinner Invitation

Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday alleged that the Modi government is undermining the concept of the “Union of States” by pointing out that a G20 dinner invitation refers to the President as the “President of Bharat” instead of the “President of India.”

This issue has sparked a war of words between Opposition leaders and the ruling BJP.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter to state, “So, the news is indeed true. Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on Sept 9th in the name of ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the usual ‘President of India.’ Now, Article 1 in the Constitution can read: ‘Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States.’ But now even this ‘Union of States’ is under assault.”

In response, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh questioned why there is an issue with using the term “Bharat.” He defended the use of “Bharat,” noting its historical significance and presence in the Indian Constitution. Chugh accused the Congress of creating unnecessary misunderstandings.

Other prominent leaders also weighed in on the “Bharat or India” matter:

• Congress MP Pramod Tiwari argued that the word “India” is explicitly mentioned in Article 1 of the Indian Constitution and cannot be removed. He pointed out that Prime Minister Modi had introduced various initiatives using the term “India.”

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is deeply unsettled by the use of a single term, ‘India.’ He added that, “in the upcoming 2024 elections, INDIA will drive BJP out of power!”

• Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal humorously speculated about changing the nation’s name to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if the INDIA bloc changed its name to “Bharat.”
• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of wanting to change the Constitution by replacing “India” with “Bharat.” He suggested that this move reflects a dislike for the Constitution’s first article, “India That Is Bharat.”
• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the sudden push for exclusively using “Bharat” and expressed her preference for “India” in English. She criticized what she perceived as a rewriting of history.
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated the use of “Republic of Bharat” and applauded it as a step forward for Indian civilization.
• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami commended the government for replacing “India” with “Bharat” on the G20 summit invitation, characterizing it as a step against a “slavery mentality.”
• BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav advocated for the widespread use of “Bharat” instead of “India,” citing cultural significance and expressing a desire for a constitutional change.

The G20 Summit is set to take place in the national capital from September 9 to 10, with India hosting the event. Several heads of state, including US President Joe Biden, are expected to attend.