The G20 dinner invitations sent out by President Droupadi Murmu describing her position as 'President of Bharat' instead of the customary 'President of India' has kicked off a political storm in the country.
The opposition alleged that the move was reflective of the BJP being scared of the INDIA bloc, while the ruling party asserted that there was nothing wrong in using Bharat as it is part of the Constitution.
The opposition parties also have alleged that the Modi government is planning to drop India and stay with just Bharat as the country's name.
Meanwhile, speculations are strife that the BJP-led government may bring a proposal to rename India as Bharat during the upcoming special session of Parliament slated to be convened from September 18 to 22.
G20 Invitations From 'President Of Bharat' Trigger Row:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked whether the BJP would change the name of Bharat if the opposition alliance INDIA rechristens itself Bharat.
Praising Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this is the prime minister's move to come out of the mindset of slavery. "I think it is a proud moment for all Indians that ‘President of Bharat’ is written on the invitation. It is a move by PM Modi to come out of the mindset of slavery," he told ANI.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the name should have been changed much earlier. "This should have happened earlier. This gives great satisfaction to the mind. 'Bharat' is our introduction. We are proud of it. The President has given priority to 'Bharat'. This is the biggest statement to come out of the colonial mindset."
In a post on X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "REPUBLIC OF BHARAT - happy and proud that our civilisation is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL."
BJP president J P Nadda accused the Congress of having no respect for either the country or the constitution and constitutional institutions, as he asked why the opposition party hates the chant 'Bharat mata ki jai'.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said while there is no constitutional objection to calling India 'Bharat', he hopes the government will not be so foolish as to completely dispense with 'India' which has incalculable brand value.
(With inputs from agencies)