Embracing Our Heritage: BJP’s Sunil Sharma Applauds RSS General Secretary’s Call to Rename India as Bharat

Recently, Sunil Sharma, the Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir and a BJP MLA, voiced his support for the idea that India should be officially known as Bharat. He praised RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s remark, emphasizing that the term “Bharat” reflects the country’s deep-rooted culture and heritage. He stated, “Bharat is a traditional name linked to our history. Every Indian should feel proud of it.”

In contrast, Congress MP K Suresh expressed skepticism about this viewpoint. He described it as the RSS’s long-standing ideology, arguing that many Indians do not support this shift from “India” to “Bharat”.

During a recent book launch, Hosabale raised questions about why “India” is still used in official settings. He pointed out that invitations for the G-20 summit showcased “Republic of Bharat” in English, contrasting with common phrases such as “Constitution of India.” He urged for consistency, suggesting that if the nation is called Bharat, it should be referred to as such across all contexts.

He also shared his vision for India’s role globally, stating, “India aims to rise not just for its own benefit but for the welfare of other nations.” Hosabale stressed that Indians never felt inferior under Mughal rule. Instead, he believed that British colonialism fostered a sense of superiority regarding English culture, which has persisted into contemporary society, influencing education and language use today.