RSS Leader Advocates for ‘Bharat’ as the Nation’s Sole Name:

“The country should go forward with a single name and legal changes should be made to amend the name ‘India’ to ‘Bharat’,” said RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale.

While presenting his book ‘Vimarsh Bharat Ka’ brought out by Suruchi Prakashan at Panchsheel Balak Inter College auditorium, Hosabale wondered why institutions like the Reserve Bank of India or The Constitution still have to bear the English name when the Prime Minister of the country called India “Republic of Bharat” during the dinner he hosted for G20 leaders at Rashtrapati Bhavan last year.

“Desh ka naam Bharat hai, toh Bharat hi bolo. India toh angrezi naam hai," he mentioned.

The dispute between India and Bharat arose after the opposition bloc that was formed against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Modi at one of his speeches remarked the name chosen was not right and gave known groups like the Popular Front of India in support of his claim.

Deeply etched within the Indian reality is the destruction set in motion by Hosabale, and his reference to the British rule is no different. While citing the introduction of English as a dominant language and the destruction set in place by the Mughals, he referred to the gurukuls and temples that were destroyed during the invasion.

“The Mughals dominated Bharat and destroyed our culture. While the British made us feel inferior, mulaqats with them made us feel like they were superior. The idea of ‘Engraziyat’ still persists. That is why the business of English medium schools flourishes here,” he mentioned.

Under liberal leadership, he also claimed that Bharat’s rulers were turned into fools by the portrayal of oppressors. “It is like saying, and we wonder, didn't tell us that all our kings were oppressors? Unavoidably, they developed such a misleading narrative,” as said by the RSS general secretary, Soindra.

Hosabale also mentioned VS Naipaul's critique of post-colonial nations. He was quoted as saying, "It is imperative that a fresh tide emerges in this country. One that does not insult other countries, but rather, invokes our identity. Indians will never support gloating victory, or bringing other countries down. India will always support the good. But we need to remain united and lead by example first.”