Film, sports stars rally behind govt over India name change

NEW DELHI: Several prominent sports persons and film stars on Wednesday came out in support of the Modi government’s decision to rename ‘India’ as ‘Bharat’.

Proponents of the move assert that the term ‘Bharat’ underscores the nation’s rich heritage and civilization.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan led the showbiz industry to support the renaming of the country after 76 years of its independence. “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

T 4759 – 🇮🇳 भारत माता की जय 🚩

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) September 5, 2023

READ MORE: Opposition leaders question rationale behind renaming India

Industry ‘Queen’ Kangana Ranaut was also unequivocal in her support. She shared a video of spiritual guru and mystic, Sadhguru, discussing the significance of ‘Bharat.

“My guru said it decades ago…he is on Kailash yatra, he doesn’t know yet, but this remarkable change in the name of our nation will bring him tears of joy. Upon his return, he will not be coming back to India, but to his beloved Bharat,” Ranaut posted.

My guru said it decades ago, I am nothing but mere dust of his feet, he is on Kailash yatra, he doesn’t know yet but this remarkable change of the name of this nation will bring him tears of joy, he will be returning not to India but to his beloved Bharat 🇮🇳 #Bharat #भारत https://t.co/B2v63jT7r9

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 5, 2023

‘Bhidu’ Jackie Shroff said there was nothing controversial in renaming the country as ‘Bharat’. “It is not a bad thing. Anyway, we won’t change if the name changes,” he stated.

Apna smile apna health hai … Apna Merudand Sidha Rakh, Baki Tension mat le bhidu. https://t.co/l9eXRjW03y

— Jackie Shroff (@bindasbhidu) April 28, 2020

Cricket legend Virender Sehwag also batted for the name ‘Bharat.’ “It’s not just Team India, it’s #TeamBharat. As we wholeheartedly cheer for players like Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and Jaddu during this World Cup, let’s also hold the spirit of ‘Bharat’ close to our hearts,” he wrote.

Team India nahin #TeamBharat.
This World Cup as we cheer for Kohli , Rohit , Bumrah, Jaddu , may we have Bharat in our hearts and the players wear jersey which has “Bharat” @JayShah . https://t.co/LWQjjTB98Z

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023

READ MORE: Article 1 amendment needed for renaming India as Bharat: Expert

As expected, Union ministers led the campaign against the opposition INDIA for protesting the change. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan proudly shared pictures of his invitation to the G20 dinner and posted: “Jana Gana Mana Adhinayak Jaya He, Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.”

जन गण मन अधिनायक जय हे, भारत भाग्य विधाता

जय हो 🇮🇳#PresidentOfBharat pic.twitter.com/C4RmR0uGGS

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 5, 2023

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi commented: “Maa sirf Bharat hoti hai, India maa nhi hoti h. We say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and not ‘India Mata ki Jai.'”

Similarly, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, quoting the Article 1 of the Constitution, emphasized, “Humara ye desh, Bharat tha, Bharat hai or Bharat rahega”. He also posted on X “happy and proud that our civilisation is marching ahead boldly towards AMRIT KAAL”

And what about BHARAT ? कांग्रेस क्या समझती हैं ? भारत का नाम मिटा पायेगें? pic.twitter.com/WZf5ZRm8Y6

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 5, 2023