Title: The Name ‘Bharat’ and the Debates Surrounding India’s Constitution
Subtitle: Insights into the discussions held in the Constituent Assembly
Date: 6 September 2023
Author: Muralitharan Kasiviswanathanpadavi, BBC Correspondent
The debates surrounding the name of India while drafting the Constitution have been a topic of interest for many. The Constituent Assembly, led by Dr. Ambedkar, deliberated on various proposals, including the inclusion of the name ‘Bharat’. This article sheds light on the discussions that took place during that time.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, both the Conservative Party and the Labor Party in the United Kingdom promised independence for India in their election manifestos. The Labor Party emerged victorious in the 1945 election, and in September of the same year, the then Viceroy of India, Lord Wavell, announced the British government’s commitment to granting autonomy to India.
As a result, India and Pakistan were eventually divided into two countries, with independence granted on August 14-15, 1947. Subsequently, the Indian Legislative Assembly and State Assemblies merged to form the Constituent Assembly of India, entrusted with the task of drafting the Constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar presented the first draft of the Constitution in the Constituent Assembly on 4th November 1948. Surprisingly, the name ‘Bharat’ did not appear in the draft’s Article 1, which mentions the name of the country. Instead, it stated “India Shall be a Union of States”.
Almost a year later, on 17th September 1949, Dr. Ambedkar proposed amendments, including the addition of “India, that is, Bharat shall be a Union of States”. Interestingly, during the debates that followed, members focused more on the wording of ‘Union of States’ rather than on ‘India, that is Bharat’.
On September 18, H.V. Kamat introduced two amendments to the first section, suggesting that the country’s name should be “Bharat or, in the English language, India, shall be a Union of States” or “Hind, or, in the English language, India, shall be a Union of States”. However, Chairman Rajendra Prasad pointed out the contradictory nature of these amendments.
During the discussions, Kamath shed light on the various historical and mythological origins associated with the name Bharat, whereas Dr. Ambedkar seemed disinterested, stating that time was limited. Despite the debates, a vote held on Kamat’s resolution yielded 38 in favor and 51 against, resulting in its defeat.
Further discussions on the issue continued sporadically in the Constituent Assembly. Some members expressed dissatisfaction with the name ‘India i.e. Bharat’, believing it to be confusing. Others argued for the sanctity of the name ‘Bharat’ from ancient texts such as the Vedas and Puranas.
However, these debates did not bear significant influence. In the final version of the Constitution, Article 1 stated that “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and came into force on 26th January 1950.
The discussions around the name of India during the drafting of the Constitution provide insight into the complexities and deliberations faced by the founding members of the Republic. The decision to include ‘Bharat’ alongside ‘India’ acknowledges the deep historical and cultural significance of the name.
Image credit: Getty Images
Caption: Leaders who were in the interim government. What did the Madras provincial minister say?
Source: BBC Tamil on Social Media