India debating whether to change their name

[waterfall 546]

The new name in discussion: Bharat aka an ancient Sanskrit word which many historians believe dates back to early Hindu texts.

Why they want to change it?

- "They argue that the name India was introduced by British colonials and is a “symbol of slavery.” The British ruled India for about 200 years until the country gained independence in 1947." 

The opposite side response: 

- "the government will not be so foolish as to completely dispense with “India,” which has incalculable brand value built up over centuries"

My take: I feel like it won't matter that much since at least globally, they will always be known as India. 

source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/indias-government-replaces-india-ancient-bharat-dinner-invitation-102926092

[androiduser 6,765]

it makes sense, and it wouldn't hurt them internationally, a lot of countries have their names in their own language, and an international name

[weed 62,440]

I love the word India and it is so iconic but I definitely support changing the name bc F colonialism. It's definitely a major decision, changes all maps, "I'm Indian" becomes.. "Bharatian" ? Bharatese? If they change now, in 50+ years it won't be so strange. Thailand was Siam before, I never knew until I googled rn lmao. 

[calmar 21,138]

Seems like another right-wing move by Modi's government designed to flame up domestic Hindu nationalism.

[Wet Fire 5,521]

These right-wingers I swear 

I couldn't care less. Unemployment is at an all-time high. Privatisation is leading to price hike. Most government-run systems are corrupt. Local politicians are intentionally causing communal rifts and profiting from it. The media is bootlicking various political parties. Essential commodities are overpriced in so many places.

Yet the government has so much scope of paying attention to name changes.

[tylertremallose 1,261]

52 minutes ago, weed said:

I love the word India and it is so iconic but I definitely support changing the name bc F colonialism. It's definitely a major decision, changes all maps, "I'm Indian" becomes.. "Bharatian" ? Bharatese? If they change now, in 50+ years it won't be so strange. Thailand was Siam before, I never knew until I googled rn lmao. 

i only knew it was Siam cuz of the cat song from lady and the tramp

[dit 41,690]

I support them for whatever they choose. I supported Turkey when they changed it to Turkiye because that is how it is actually pronounced locally apparently and same I will support India with what they choose. 

I also remember reading that Hindustan or India is a name a lot of people use but that it refers to the Indus valley / river which currently only runs across Pakistan so in some ways India or Hindustan would be a better fitting name for what is currently modern day Pakistan and I guess Bharat would be the better fitting name for what is modern day India? 

Also I do think this can be a bad thing for brand reasons though. For example before Iran used to be known as Persia which became iconic but then they officially changed their name to how their country is locally called to Iran / Aryan and then the name Persia was still used for ages until more recently. I think the same will happen with India...the name will still be used for a long time after the name change but eventially people will call it by the new name but yeah it will lose a lot of "brand" recognition 

Edited September 6 by dit

[julz 2,840]

There was also a time during the previous govt that The Philippines was thinking of changing its name to Maharlika. Kind of like the same reason as with this, but glad it never progressed. 

[Karl 2,451]

This would be like America changing its name to Abraham or something, right wing nonsense.

[Railing 1,616]

why do people think that a desire to not have a name associated with slavery is "right-wing nonsense"

[alsemanche 82,807]

6 minutes ago, Railing said:

why do people think that a desire to not have a name associated with slavery is "right-wing nonsense"

Yeah I'm confused too. Isn't the name Bharat used in many parts of the country anyway? I'm not very knowledgeable in their history so I could be mistaken

[Chelseyadkins31 21]

3 hours ago, tylertremallose said:

i only knew it was Siam cuz of the cat song from lady and the tramp

yes!!! I forgot about that movie 

[bionic 34,191]

38 minutes ago, alsemanche said:

Yeah I'm confused too. Isn't the name Bharat used in many parts of the country anyway? I'm not very knowledgeable in their history so I could be mistaken

 

47 minutes ago, Railing said:

why do people think that a desire to not have a name associated with slavery is "right-wing nonsense"

I think (and I could be wrong) that the posters are complaining that the name change is being suggested as part of a distraction culture war thing to distract from the government who aren't doing much to actually improve lives. Like sure it would be a rejection of colonialism, but that's not really why its being proposed

[Karl 2,451]

1 hour ago, Railing said:

why do people think that a desire to not have a name associated with slavery is "right-wing nonsense"

The government in India are a nationalist Hindu group who are against Muslims in India so having them name the country after a Hindu name is basically another way to push their religious agenda. Government should be free from religion imo let everyone believe what they wanna as long as it isn't hurting others. Imagine if USA was named after a Christian diety or something by Donald trump or Santos, there would be uproar from other religions and atheists as itdoesnt represent them.

So of course I would encourage them to change their name to something not accociated with slavery but not just not a name that makes the problems for Muslims even worse than they are.

Edited September 6 by Karl

[Bowman 5,211]

If they wanna change it then fine, but i'm sure people will still always refer to it as India tbh

Burma changed its name to Myanmar, to try and be more inclusive to other ethnicities and gained independence from Britain since. But people still see it as Burma.

Edited September 6 by Bowman