Modi administration has ignited a political firestorm with a seemingly innocuous G20 dinner invitation sent by the President of India. The source of this controversy lies in the invitation's use of the term 'The President of Bharat' instead of 'The President of India.' This seemingly subtle choice of words has ignited a storm of debates among opposition party leaders across the nation
It's essential to understand that Article 1 of the Indian Constitution, which explicitly states “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”. This pivotal article underscores the fact that the Constitution officially recognises both 'India' and 'Bharat' as the legitimate names of the country
In 2016, the Supreme Court firmly rejected a PIL that aimed to change the country's name from 'India' to 'Bharat.' Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice UU Lalit dismissed the petition, emphasising that both 'Bharat' and 'India' were valid names for the nation. Justice Thakur succinctly stated, "Bharat or India, the choice is yours"
The critical question that lingers is whether the government is considering amending the Constitution to establish 'Bharat' as the exclusive official name, effectively removing 'India.' To achieve this, the government would need to introduce a bill to amend Article 1 of the Constitution
This intriguing debate continues to unfold, raising questions about the country's name and identity, and whether a constitutional amendment is on the horizon. The political discourse surrounding this issue remains dynamic and multi-faceted
If the government decides to make only ‘Bharat’ the official name, they would need to introduce a bill to amend Article 1 of the Constitution
Article 368 of the Indian Constitution provides the framework for amending the Constitution. It allows amendments through two distinct processes: a simple majority amendment and a special majority amendment
Certain aspects of the Constitution, like the admission of a new state or the allocation of seats for States and Union Territories (UTs) in the Rajya Sabha, may be altered through a simple majority. This means more than 50% of the total members present and voting on the amendment must support it
For other changes, including any alteration to Article 1 regarding the country's name, a special majority is required. This necessitates the approval of at least 66% of the members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament
As the debate over India's name continues, the political landscape remains charged with discussions surrounding the country's identity. Whether a constitutional change is in the offing or if 'India' and 'Bharat' will coexist as official names is yet to be seen. The controversy over the G20 dinner invitation has thrown these questions into the spotlight, making it a topic of keen interest for citizens and policymakers alike