What’s in a name? India or Bharat?
Many commentators believe Indian PM Modi will bring on a change of India’s name to Bharat. INTO INDIA thinks this most unlikely.
Modi will win either way, vote or no.
PM Modi will, in a very Indian way, continue to use the two names side by side.
You see, things do not have to be resolved in India – and both sides can have their day. Ambiguity and paradox are part of Indian culture.
“Bharat” is the Hindu name for the country, so PM Modi appeals to Hindus every time he uses it – such as on menus and nameplates at the recent G20 meeting he hosted in New Delhi last September.
Many attendees thought this a signal that a name change was on the cards for India. Wrong. Just by using both, he continues to create distance between the nation and its colonial past.
Bharat is already a name recognised in India’s constitution.
With India voting in a general election in March and April, we will no doubt see more banners displaying Bharat.
PM Modi knows that getting a name change done is a tough call, requiring a constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament.
So, when it comes to a name, two is better than one. India and Bharat.
Into India 