Constitution: ‘A symbol of colonial slavery’: BJP Rajya Sabha MP proposes to remove ‘India’ from Constitution | India News – Times of India
The BJP has launched a scathing attack against the new opposition bloc INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) by repeatedly declaring that the name ‘India’ is a remnant of a colonial past.
Many Congress leaders, however, quickly pointed out that even though the BJP was seemingly adamant on removing all colonial legacy, the Centre continued to include the name India in its major schemes and movements such as Make in India, Start-Up India and New India.
‘India name a colonial legacy’
During the Rajya Sabha proceeding on Friday, Bansal said: “The British changed Bharat’s name to India. Under Article 1, the Constitution states: ‘India, that is Bharat’. Our country has been known by the name ‘Bharat’ for thousands of years … it is this country’s ancient name and is found in ancient Sanskrit texts. The name ‘India’ was given by the colonial Raj and is thus a symbol of slavery. The name India should be removed from the Constitution.”
The MP noted that on August 15 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared from the ramparts of Red Fort that all symbols of colonialism should be erased.
“I propose that under Amrit Kaal of Independence, we change the beginning of Article 1 to simply Bharat and remove the name ‘India’,” he added.
‘INDIA vs. BHARAT’
During an event in Rajasthan on July 27, PM Modi had lashed out at the newly created opposition grouping, INDIA, and said Mahatma Gandhi’s “Quit India” movement against the British was once again needed to create a prosperous country and eradicate corruption, dynastic politics, and appeasement.
“With the label of INDIA, they want to cover up their old deeds. Had they really cared about India, would they have asked foreigners to interfere in India?” he said, possibly setting the tone for the next general elections and the assembly polls in Rajasthan later this year.
Senior BJP leader and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was one of the first to point out the colonial legacy of the name ‘India’ and promptly changed his Twitter bio to read “Chief Minister of Assam, Bharat” — instead of India.
He had also declared the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a showdown between BHARAT and INDIA.
