A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking amendment of Article 1 of the Constitution of India and replacement of the word ‘India’ with “Bharat” to instill a sense of pride in our own nationality.
The petition has been filed by Namah, seeking enforcement of the fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution which entitles every citizen equal right to call his or her own country as Bharat.
The petitioner contended in his petition that the Union Government has failed to do away with the symbol of slavery by using the name ‘India’ instead of Bharat or Hindustan. This has lead to the loss of identity and ethos “as inheritors of the hard worn freedom from foreign rule.”
The petitioner further contended that since in the past many representations were made to rename India with Bharat, however no action has been taken so far. Hence, being no effective alternate remedy to redress his grievance, the petitioner has approached the Apex court.
The matter will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hrishikesh Roy on June 2.