The government has convened an extraordinary session of parliament at the end of this month, but has remained silent on its legislative agenda. However, according to local television, BJP lawmakers will on this occasion pass a special resolution to give priority to the official use of the term “Bharat”.
Rumors about this hypothetical project elicited mixed reactions from Narendra Modi’s opponents, and enthusiastic support from others. “I hope the government isn’t stupid enough to ignore it completely ‘India‘”commented Shashi Tharoor, official of the (opposition) Congress Party. “We have to keep using those two words” and not give up “a name with a rich history, a name known throughout the world”he added.
On the other hand, former cricketer Virender Sehwag welcomed the prospect of a renaming and urged the Indian Cricket Board to start using “Bharat” on the team’s jerseys. “India is a name given by the British, and it is high time to find our real name ‘Bharath’“he predicted.
