An invitation letter sent by President Murmu for a dinner event during the G-20 summit has sparked a political controversy on Tuesday. The letter referred to her as 'President of Bharat', raising allegations from opposition parties about the government's plan to abolish the use of 'India' and replace it with 'Bharat. While there has been no official response from the central government or the President's office, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's social media post adds fuel to the speculations.
India vs. Bharat: A Political Controversy Reignited
A recent invitation letter sent by President Droupadi Murmu for a dinner event during the G-20 summit has reignited the debate over the use of "India" and "Bharat" to refer to the country.
Background
The Constitution of India recognizes both "India" and "Bharat" as official names for the country. However, the term "India" was more commonly used in official documents and public discourse until recent years.
In 2016, the then Minister of Culture proposed a move to replace the use of "India" with "Bharat" in official documents. This sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the change was an attempt to erase the country's secular identity and promote a Hindu nationalist agenda.
Current Controversy
President Murmu's letter for the G-20 event addressed the attendees as "the representatives of the leaders of Bharat gathered in New Delhi." The use of "Bharat" instead of "India" raised concerns among opposition parties, who accused the government of trying to undermine the country's official name.
Government Response
The central government and the President's office have not yet issued an official statement on the matter. However, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's social media post endorsing the use of "Bharat" has fueled speculation about the government's intentions.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the difference between "India" and "Bharat"?
2. Why is there controversy over the use of "Bharat"?
3. Has there been a similar controversy before?
4. What are the arguments in favor of using "Bharat"?
5. What is the likely outcome of this controversy?
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