A dinner invitation extended to G20 summit leaders by the president of Bharat” has ignited political debate within India. It prompts speculation about the potential shift away from the official usage of the country’s English name. This weekend, the G20 summit will be held in India and culminate with a state dinner. However, instead of the normal “President of India,” the invitation for the G20 summit refers to Droupadi Murmu as the “President of Bharat.”
For the uninitiated, with a population of more than 1.4 billion, India has two official names: India and Bharat. However, both locally and internationally, India is more frequently used. While speaking in English, senior government figures in the nation have traditionally used titles like President of India, Prime Minister of India, and Chief Justice of India.
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The change in nomenclature has garnered support from politicians who argue that the term “India” was introduced during British colonial rule and symbolizes a legacy of subjugation. However, opposition parties in India have criticized this move.
Nonetheless, the uproar around the name change has now spread beyond India. According to reports in Pakistani local media, the Islamic Republic would consider asserting a claim to the name “India” if India formally rejects it at the UN level. Given that the name relates to the Indus area in Pakistan, some nationalists in that country have maintained that Pakistan has historical claims to the name.
However, the debate took an unexpected turn when former cricketer Virender Sehwag gave a befitting reply to Pakistan’s claim.
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Virender Sehwag’s reply on Pakistan’s claim on “India” name goes viral
Former cricketer Virender Sehwag recently extended his support for the country’s name change. Not only this, he also suggested that India’s cricket board should consider using “Bharat” on team uniforms.
However, when Pakistan claims the “India” name, Virender Sehwag gives a hilarious reply. It all started when the Twitter handle of the South Asia Index tweeted,
“Just IN:— Pakistan may lay claim on name “India” if India derecongnises it officially at UN level. – local media — Nationalists in Pakistan have long argued that Pakistan has rights on the name as it refers to Indus region in Pakistan.”
Just IN:— Pakistan may lay claim on name “India” if India derecongnises it officially at UN level. – local media
— Nationalists in Pakistan have long argued that Pakistan has rights on the name as it refers to Indus region in 🇵🇰.
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) September 5, 2023
On this, Virender Sehwag replied,
“Gaaon basa nahin aur ….”
Gaaon basa nahin aur …. https://t.co/g5Zfe4GUHV
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023
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His tweet soon went viral with people from both sides expressing their thoughts on it. While Indians were busy in thrashing the Pakistani side for their unusual claim, Pakistanis took it as an opportunity to take a dig on India.
Have a look at some of the hilarious reactions on his tweet
Lutere aagye 🔥
— Zeenat Rana (@izeenatrana) September 5, 2023
— Divya Mishra (@Bhakt_mhakal_ki) September 5, 2023
Multan Ka Sultan 😍🇮🇳🔥
— Narendra Modi fan (@narendramodi177) September 5, 2023
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Sehwag on fire today!😂❤️🔥
— 🦅 (@Hustler4CSK) September 5, 2023
Bhikhariyon se aur kya ummeed kar sakte hai… saari zindagi hamare tukdo pe hi pale hai ye qaum. Congress ki den thi Jo unko hamare desh ke resources aur Paisa daan kiya.
Aaj ro rahe hai, rone do bechare ko 🤣🤣
— MJ (@MJ_007Club) September 5, 2023
On the other hand, many people also criticized Virender Sehwag for siding with “Bharat” in this whole “India vs. Bharat” discourse. Nevertheless, the debate is still going on and Virender Sehwag is still supporting the idea of renaming the country as “Bharat.”
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