India to be named as Bharat in Parliament's special session, say sources

The Special Session of Parliament is likely to witness a resolution to name India as Bharat, sources said on Tuesday. Article 1 of the Constitution of India states - India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. This article is likely to be amended. While there is no official confirmation on this move, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma made a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter) which hailed 'Republic of Bharat', fueling the speculation in political circles. 

"REPUBLIC OF BHARAT - happy and proud that our civilisation is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL," the Assam Chief Minister wrote on X. The post was interpreted by many opposition leaders as confirmation of reports which suggest that the ruling BJP will bring a resolution to call India 'Bharat' during the special session of the Parliament, scheduled from September 18 to 22. 

The Assam Chief Minister's perplexing post came after Congress MP Jairam Ramesh shared that he received invitations to a G20 Summit dinner at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the name of ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the 'President of India.'

On X, he wrote, "Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on September 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."

Opposition leaders flag 'India' renaming 

While affirming that BJP is scared of the name 'India,' Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, "PM Modi had given names like 'Make in India', 'Skill India', 'Khelo India'. They (BJP) are scared of the word 'India', Article 1 of the Constitution says- India, that is Bharat." He questioned, "How can this name (India) be removed?" 

Stepping up the offensive against the Centre's speculated move to rename India, RJD MP Manoj Jha said, "It has just been a few weeks since we named our alliance as INDIA and BJP has started sending invitations with 'Republic of Bharat' instead of 'Republic of India'. Article 1 of the Constitution reads 'India that is Bharat'. Neither you can take India from us nor Bharat." 

Meanwhile, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh asked why there's an issue with using ancient names like 'Bharat' in place of 'India.' He added, "Why are you feeling ashamed, Jairam Ramesh? Our nation has been called Bharat since ancient times and it is even mentioned in our Constitution. They are trying to create misunderstandings for no reason."