New Delhi: In the midst of the ongoing debate surrounding the proposal to use 'Bharat' instead of 'India' as the country's official name, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal delivered a pointed remark on Tuesday, aimed at the central government. He questioned whether the nation would be renamed 'Bharatiya Janata Party' (BJP) if the 'INDIA' bloc were to change its identity to 'Bharat.'
Addressing a press conference in the capital, Kejriwal asserted that the BJP-led government's motivation behind this change is rooted in the fact that the Opposition bloc has chosen the name 'INDIA.'
"While I lack official confirmation of this development, I learned of it through the press. It appears that this decision is being made because 'INDIA' represents a coalition of opposition parties. Will the nation's name be altered if a political party is established with the same name? This is a nation of 1.4 billion people. What if the 'INDIA' bloc decides to rename itself 'Bharat' following a meeting tomorrow? Will 'Bharat' then become 'BJP'?" questioned Delhi's Chief Minister.
Kejriwal further contended that the BJP's actions stem from concerns about securing votes. "The 'INDIA' bloc has been formed, and the BJP seems worried about securing four additional votes. Their actions are primarily driven by electoral considerations. This is, in essence, a betrayal of the nation," he added.
Earlier in the day, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh claimed that Rashtrapati Bhawan had issued invitations for a G20 dinner on September 9th under the name 'President of Bharat,' deviating from the customary 'President of India.'
Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "distorting history and dividing India," asserting that the aim of parties within the 'INDIA' bloc is encapsulated in 'BHARAT'—an acronym signifying "Bring Harmony, Amity, Reconciliation And Trust."
"The reports are indeed accurate. Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out invitations for a G20 dinner on September 9th under the title 'President of Bharat,' instead of the usual 'President of India.' Article 1 in the Constitution may now read, 'Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States.' However, even this 'Union of States' is currently under scrutiny," declared Ramesh on 'X,' formerly known as Twitter.
He continued, "Mr. Modi may persist in distorting history and dividing India, which is 'Bharat,' a Union of States. But we will not be deterred. After all, what is the objective of 'INDIA' parties? It is 'BHARAT'—to 'Bring Harmony, Amity, Reconciliation And Trust.' 'Bharat' will unite, and 'INDIA' will triumph!"
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also applauded the President's decision to employ 'Bharat' rather than 'India' on the official G20 invitation. He expressed, " 'Bharat' is our introduction, and we take immense pride in it. The President's emphasis on 'Bharat' marks a significant departure from colonial thinking," stated the minister.
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