In the run-up to the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi this week, India finds itself at the center of a contentious debate surrounding a potential change in its official name from “India” to “Bharat.” This move, initiated by President Droupadi Murmu, has triggered a political storm and ignited discussions about the logistical and financial implications of such a monumental shift.
The controversy stems from President Murmu’s decision to extend official invitations to the G20 dinner under the name “President of Bharat” instead of the conventional “President of India.” Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, have raised concerns about this deviation, arguing that it challenges the sanctity of Article 1 of the Indian Constitution, which begins with the declaration: “India, that is Bharat, is a ‘Union of States’…”
Amidst the fervent debate surrounding the proposed name change, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh voiced his party’s stance on social media platform X. In his post, Ramesh stated, “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.” Ramesh’s eloquent acronym, “BHARAT,” encapsulates the essence of the opposition’s perspective, emphasizing the pursuit of harmony, amity, reconciliation, and trust as the guiding principles for India’s future. These words underscore the deep-seated ideological divide over the potential renaming, reflecting the broader discourse that continues to captivate the nation.
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! https://t.co/L0gsXUEEEK— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 5, 2023
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma have voiced their support for the change. Sharma expressed his pride in India’s evolving identity, hinting at further alterations to come. This development has set the stage for a potential resolution in a special session of the Parliament, scheduled to convene from September 18 to 22.
However, the proposed name change carries significant implications. Renaming a country of over 1.4 billion people is a complex, time-consuming, and costly endeavor. India’s vast diversity in terms of cultures, languages, and ethnicities further complicates the process. Recent examples of city name changes within India, such as Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad to Dharashiv, highlight the multifaceted nature of such undertakings.
Notably, the renaming of Allahabad to Prayagraj in 2018 reportedly cost the Uttar Pradesh state government upwards of Rs 300 crore. Expenses encompass updating maps, road navigation systems, highway landmarks, and official paraphernalia used in state and civic authority offices, among other considerations. Private businesses, corporate entities, and non-governmental institutions within the affected region would also need to adapt to the new nomenclature.
To estimate the potential cost of renaming India to Bharat, some experts have drawn comparisons to corporate rebranding exercises. Darren Olivier, an intellectual property lawyer based in South Africa, posited that rebranding typically costs up to 10% of a company’s overall marketing budget. Applying this methodology to India’s fiscal context, the projected cost of such a transformation would be a staggering Rs 14,304 crore. To put this in perspective, the Indian government currently spends approximately Rs 14,000 crore per month on its food security program, which provides sustenance to 80 crore Indians.
The upcoming special session of Parliament will provide clarity on whether the government is committed to pursuing the name change. In the meantime, foreign heads of state will attend the G20 official dinner hosted by the President of Bharat, amidst a backdrop of domestic debate and international attention.
The G20 Summit, slated for September 9-10 at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, will see the participation of world leaders including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Japan PM Fumio Kishida, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping will be absent from the G20 Meeting, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang attending in his stead.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
