The Adoption of 'India, that is Bharat' in the Constitution

The debate between "India" and "Bharat" as the official name of the nation found its place in the Constitution. Article 1 states, "India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States," legalizing both names for juridical-political purposes.

Recently, there was controversy when invitations to the G20 Summit dinner bore 'President of Bharat' instead of the customary 'President of India.' This sparked speculation about a potential resolution to rename India as Bharat during an upcoming special session of Parliament.

Interestingly, a Congress MP proposed a private member's bill in 2012 to change "India" to "Bharat" in the Constitution, highlighting the deeper cultural significance of Bharat beyond geographic borders.

The Constituent Assembly debates in 1949 also featured discussions on primarily using "Bharat" for the country's name. However, a dual-name policy was adopted.

India vs. Bharat Debate: In English, we refer to our country as India, while in other Indian languages, it's Bharat. Even in Dravidian languages, it is "Bharata" in Tamil, "Bharatam" in Malayalam, and "Bharat Desam" in Telugu. Hindi references the Constitution as 'Bharat ka Samvidhan,' and Article 1 as 'Bharata arthat India, rajyon ka sangha hoga.'

India signifies a geographic and administrative entity, whereas Bharat reflects a socially organized territory united by socio-cultural practices. Later, Bharat came to represent the geographical entity of India combined with its cultural aspect.

Historical Perspective: Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, mentioned both "Hindustan" and "Bharata" in 'Discovery of India,' published in 1946, showing that the debate was already present.

The term "Bharat" has deep historical roots, appearing in Hindu writings like the Mahabharata and Manusmriti. It relates to Emperor Bharata, referred to by Nehru, who is thought to have ruled a vast realm corresponding to modern-day India.

The term "India" isn't a recent coinage; it comes from the Indus River, crucial in early civilizations of the region. Greek historians popularized it, and the British adopted it during colonial rule.

Constituent Assembly Debates: On September 18, 1949, during Constituent Assembly discussions, the phrase "India, that is Bharat" saw intense debate, with some members seeking a rephrasing.

Hari Vishnu Kamath, a Constituent Assembly member, proposed rephrasing Article 1 as 'Bharat or, in the English language, India, shall be a Union of States.'

Hargovind Pant, another member, advocated for "Bharat" and "Bharat Varsha" over "India."

Why Both Names? The dual identity of 'India, that is Bharat' was chosen during the Constitution's drafting amid post-Partition turmoil, communal strife, and uncertainty about the nation's unity and stability. This decision ensured inclusivity and representation of India's multifaceted heritage.

It's important to note that using just "Bharat" wouldn't constitute renaming the country but emphasizing one aspect of its identity over the other.

Also Read: Supreme Court Reserves Verdict as Article 370 Hearing Wraps Up

OTT India updates you with the latest news, The Country’s no.1 digital news platform OTT India, Keeps you updated with national, and international news from all around the world. For more such updates, download the OTT India app on your Android and IOS device.