G20 dinner invite at Rashtrapati Bhavan from ‘President of Bharat’

Ahead of the New Delhi Chapter of the G20 Summit, an invite sent by the President of India to the various leaders across the country, and to the foreign delegates for a dinner on September 9 says ‘President of Bharat’, replacing the traditional of ‘President of India’. This is the very first time the term ‘Bharat’ has officially been used for Stately purposes. Officials have noted that the term ‘Bharat’ is an integral part of the Indian Constitution and Article 1 says, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States."

This move has been lauded by several BJP Leaders. Taking to X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma tweeted, “REPUBLIC OF BHARAT - happy and proud that our civilisation is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL.”

However, the sudden change in nomenclature pertaining to official documents, particularly for a mega event of international significance has not set in well with the Opposition and has stoked a massive controversy.

Calling it an assault on the ‘Union of States’, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said, “So the news is indeed true. Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on Sept 9th in the name of the '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.” He insinuated that the current leadership of India has embarked upon a mission to disrupt the history of India, and thereby launch an attack on the ethos of this country. “Mr. Modi can continue to distort history and divide India that is Bharat that is a Union of States. But we will not be deterred. After all, what is the objective of INDIA parties? It is BHARAT—Bring Harmony, Amity, Reconciliation And Trust. Judega BHARAT Jeetega INDIA!” he added, drawing inferences to the newly fixed tagline for the Opposition Bloc INDIA.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee too hit back at the Union Government’s sudden change in nomenclature. “They are changing everything. Today they are changing the name of India too. This is a deliberate attempt to change the history of this country”, she said.

Taking a jibe at the Congress outrage and the Opposition bloc at large, BJP National President JP Nadda said, “Why does the Congress have so much objection to every subject related to the honor and pride of the country? Why do political yatras in the name of Bharat Jodo hate the proclamation of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”? It is clear that the Congress has neither respect for the country, nor for the constitution of the country, nor for the constitutional institutions. He just means to praise a particular family. The whole country knows very well the anti-national and anti-constitutional intentions of the Congress.”

The G20 booklet that has been handed out to the foreign delegates has been titled "Bharat, The Mother Of Democracy", replacing the word ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’. The opening words that are reflective of the social, political and cultural fabric of the host country say, "In Bharat that is India, taking the consent of the people in governance has been part of life since earliest recorded history.”

Last week, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) suggested that the country at large must shun the term ‘India’ as it bears colonial connotations, and adopt ‘Bharat’ instead. "We must stop using the word India and start using Bharat. At times we use India to make those who speak English understand. This comes as the flow. However, we must stop using this...The name of the country Bharat will remain Bharat wherever you go in the world. In spoken and written one must say Bharat”, said Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief at an event in Guwahati.

The name ‘India’ has been a point of contention between the ruling BJP Government and the Opposition Coalition, after the Opposition Bloc named their alliance INDIA- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, calling it a fight between INDIA and NDA. Launching a scathing attack on the newly formed INDIA alliance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called them ‘Ghamadiya’ (Proud).