Dinner Invite By 'President of Bharat' Triggers Opposition Backlash; Govt Dismisses Renaming India

New Delhi, Sept 5: A dinner invite from President Draupadi Murmu to mark the G20 summit in Delhi has triggered a massive controversy.

The invite for September 19 has gone on behalf of the ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the usual ‘President of India’ to leaders across the political spectrum, triggering instant backlash from the opposition alliance partners.

The issue was brought to the spotlight by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh through his post in X (formerly Twitter). Ramesh also attached a photo of the invite, fearing that it was an attempt by the Narendra Modi-led government to undermine the union of the state as enshrined in the constitution.

“So the news is indeed true. Rashtrapati Bhawan has sent out an invite for a G20 dinner on Sept 9th in the name of ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the usual ‘President of India’,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“Now, Article 1 in the Constitution can read: “Bharat, that was India, shall be a Union of States.” But now even this “Union of States” is under assault,” Mr. Ramesh alleged.

His fears were echoed by leaders of various opposition parties, most notable of them being NCP Chief Sharad Pawar and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

A section of the opposition leaders claimed that the Centre might insist on a resolution in the special session of Parliament beginning September 18 to rename the country.

However, one of the Central Ministers dismissed all such possibilities. Talking to The Hindu, the Minister said: “It is clearly stated in the Constitution that ‘India, that is Bharat, is a Union of states’ so where is there any need for any change?”  the minister said.