What's in a name: Internet divided over India's potential name-change to 'Bharat'

Social media users did not hold back while sharing their thoughts

In a move that has sparked intrigue and debate across India, rumours are swirling about the government's potential plan to replace the country's official name "India" with "Bharat." This speculation gained momentum following a state-issued invitation to the G20 summit, which referred to the nation as "Bharat," reports The Guardian.

India is set to host the G20 summit this weekend, and world leaders have received invitations to a state dinner hosted by the "president of Bharat." This choice of nomenclature aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal preference, as he commonly refers to the nation as Bharat. 

Members of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has strong Hindu nationalist ties, have previously advocated against using the name "India." They argue that "India" carries colonial connotations and was imposed during British rule.

The government has summoned a special session of parliament later this month, although it has remained tight-lipped about the specific legislative agenda. However, unnamed government sources reportedly informed the broadcaster News18 that BJP lawmakers intend to propose a special resolution to prioritise the use of the name "Bharat."

News of this potential change has elicited a range of reactions, with both opposition and enthusiastic support. The X stratosphere has been abuzz, and people are sharing opinions, critique, and, of course, jokes. For instance, The Pakistan Experience host Shehzad Ghias Shaikh shared a small clip from his podcast, stating, "As India considers renaming itself to "Bharat", here is Faisal Warraich talking about why maybe Pakistan should have been called "West India" because Pakistan is the region where the Indus flows - where India gets its name from."

As India considers renaming itself to "Bharat", here is Faisal Warraich talking about why maybe Pakistan should have been called "West India" because Pakistan is the region where the Indus flows - where India gets its name from. pic.twitter.com/iULbUfi8kw

— Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) September 5, 2023

In a similar vein, the South Asia Index handle shared the following, "Pakistan may lay claim on the name "India" if India derecognises it officially at the UN level. - local media. Nationalists in Pakistan have long argued that Pakistan has rights to the name as it refers to the Indus region in Pakistan."

Just IN:— Pakistan may lay claim on name "India" if India derecongnises it officially at UN level. - local media

— Nationalists in Pakistan have long argued that Pakistan has rights on the name as it refers to Indus region in 🇵🇰.

— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) September 5, 2023

One X user noted, "India and Bharat were co-existing earlier. Hindus and Muslims were co-existing earlier. Then, Modi happened." Another X user highlighted, "An organisation that has shirts/pants/ half-pants as their uniform, is telling us to use the name 'Bharat' because 'India' has a colonial hangover. Okay, then."

India and Bharat were co-existing earlier.

Hindus and Muslims were co-existing earlier.

Then Modi happened.

— Nimo Tai (@Cryptic_Miind) September 5, 2023

An organisation that has shirts/pants/ half-pants as their uniform, is telling us to use the name 'Bharat' because 'India' has a colonial hangover. Ok, then. pic.twitter.com/2QuuDdMMBx

— PuNsTeR™ (@Pun_Starr) September 6, 2023

One person joked about Salman Khan's offering with the same name, saying, "They are thinking of changing the name of India to Bharat but by going Salman Khan's old tweets (except for Bharat movie promotion too) this man has been calling it Bharat since ages. What a man he is, a pure secure and secular actor this country has ever seen."

They are thinking of changing the name of India to Bharat but by going Salman khan's old tweets (except for Bharat movie promotion too) this man has been calling Bharat since ages. What a man he is, Pure secure and secular actor this country has ever seen. _/\_ https://t.co/xS3a9lb9uR

— Banna. (@iJaideep_) September 5, 2023

One individual joked about young men named Bharat entering spaces with additional swagger after the potential name change. 

Pov :- After knowing India name is being changed to #Bharat

Boys named Bharat entering their Class be like :- pic.twitter.com/Kmizgp5SZ5

— Arjun Santosh (@Arjun_San7osh) September 5, 2023

Another X user bemoaned, "Just an opinion but India most definitely sounds so much better than Bharat. I respect the language thing but then again, India is always going to remain India? Bharat just won’t sit right." 

just an opinion but India most definitely sounds so much better than bharat. I respect the language thing but then again, India is always gonna remain india?? bharat jus won’t sit right 😭

— sarthak (@__sarthak) September 5, 2023

Yet another X user sarcastically remarked, "So happy that we have eradicated poverty, hunger, the worst infrastructure in the world, and can now focus on real problems such as, 'Is India more appropriate or Bharat?' Amazing national priorities guys."

So happy that we have eradicated poverty, hunger the worst infrastructure in the world & can now focus on real problems such as Is India more appropriate or Bharat. Amazing national priorities guys

— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) September 6, 2023

One person joked about how residents of India will now be referred to as "Bharati," adding a picture of the famed Indian comedian with the same name. 

residents of india will now be called pic.twitter.com/vYRDzWBFha

— prakriti (@idkyar) September 5, 2023

"If India becomes Bharat, and Pakistan becomes India, then 'Go to Pakistan' will become 'Go to India,'" joked one X user. 

If India becomes Bharat,
and Pakistan becomes India
then "Go to Pakistan"
will become "Go to India" 😂😂

— Shirin Khan (@Shirinkhan0) September 5, 2023

While some argue that reclaiming the name "Bharat" is a step towards asserting cultural and historical authenticity, others caution against discarding the globally recognised name "India." As rumours continue to swirl, the nation awaits further clarification from its government regarding this potential historic shift in nomenclature.

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