On March 11, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) sparked a lively discussion about what to call our country. The organization’s General Secretary, Dattatreya Hosabale, suggested that we should officially use the name “Bharat” instead of “India.” He pointed out that while “India” is used in English documents, the Indian name is “Bharat,” and he believes we should stick to it.
Hosabale raised questions about why we continue to use “India” in important contexts. He mentioned examples like the “Constitution of India” and the “Reserve Bank of India,” asking why these names don’t reflect our own language. He believes if our country is called “Bharat,” then that name should take precedence everywhere.
The statement drew mixed reactions. Dr. Hafiz Rafiqul Islam, an MLA from the AIUDF party, called it hateful. He said, “We proudly refer to our country as Bharat, India, and Hindustan. If the RSS wants to change names, maybe they should consider changing their own.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded by saying, “We call our nation Bharat, India, and Hindustan. People can choose whichever name they prefer. We have the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, and we sing ‘Sare jahan se achha Hindustan humara.'”
CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar also weighed in, suggesting that this discussion does not need to be controversial. He pointed out that the term “RSS” includes English letters. If they want to promote Hindi, they should reconsider their own name. He emphasized that Article 1 of the Constitution clearly states the name of our nation as India.
On the other hand, BJP MLA Sunil Sharma supported Hosabale’s statements. He expressed pride in the name Bharat, saying it reflects our rich culture and history stemming from the story of Dushyant and Shakuntala, whose son was named Bharat. He believes this name should be embraced by all Indians.
Congress MP K. Suresh criticized the RSS view, suggesting it reveals their preference for “Bharat” over “India,” a stance that he feels many Indians do not support.
During a recent book launch, Hosabale reiterated his views about the name. He noted that during the G-20 summit, official invitations referred to the “Republic of Bharat.” He questioned why the name “India” appears so frequently in official documents and called for a change.
He also shared his vision for India, stating, “India should rise not just for itself, but for the betterment of the world. We aim to assist other countries, not to overpower them.”
Hosabale reflected on historical influences, noting that while Indians maintained a sense of identity during Mughal rule, British colonialism brought about a sense of inferiority linked to English culture, influencing language and education even today.
Check out this related article: Indian Air Force: A Tribute Through ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha’ – Insights from J&K CM on RSS Leader Hosabale
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