Opinion: India vs Bharat And Attempts To Hijack Legacy Of Freedom Movement

I am not here to argue whether the name 'India' is better or 'Bharat' is, because both are part of my identity, and I would love to preserve both because both define me. The argument to choose one is problematic for the simple reason that if one chooses 'India' then one is branded an 'anti-national' with a 'colonial mind-set', who approves of a 'symbol of slavery', and if one appreciates 'Bharat', then one automatically becomes patriotic, nationalist and a true Hindu. This binary is cleverly designed to divide people in the name of "'India' that is 'Bharat...'".

I find it not only reprehensible but also detestable. I know that some people are overnight pundits on the name of the country after reading a few paragraphs from Wikipedia. Without any deeper understanding of the subject, they are passing judgement and calling names. This is the sad state of affairs in our civil discourse.

What is even more disheartening is that the entire debate is sponsored by the regime, and cabinet ministers who occupy constitutional and responsible positions are engaging in toxic debates. These are the leaders who, before this debate erupted, called their rivals 'anti-India' or 'India-haters'.