India, Bharat, or Hindustan—Choose the Name You Love, Says Omar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah: Bharat, India, or Hindustan—Name It as You Wish
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah affirmed on Tuesday that the nation, celebrated under its three historic names—Bharat, India, and Hindustan—belongs to its people, who are free to address it as they see fit.
His statement countered RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s recent claim that if the country’s name is Bharat, it should exclusively be called that. “We use Bharat, India, and Hindustan interchangeably,” Abdullah told reporters outside the Assembly. “These are our three names—choose the one that speaks to your heart.”
Abdullah underscored the fluidity of the country’s nomenclature by citing official examples. “The ‘Constitution of India’ and ‘Reserve Bank of India’ don’t use Bharat—why not? The Prime Minister’s aircraft proudly bears both ‘Bharat’ and ‘India.’ Our armed forces are known as the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, yet we also embrace Bharat in our discourse.”
He further enriched his argument with a cultural reference, reciting, “Sare Jahan Se Achcha, Hindustan Hamara,” from the iconic patriotic song. “This too is our identity. Call it what you prefer—it’s your country,” he said.
Shifting to other matters, Abdullah declined to comment on a Muslim Personal Law Board statement, noting he hadn’t reviewed it. On ongoing Assembly disruptions, he elaborated on a practical step forward: a committee under the chief secretary has been tasked with regularizing daily wagers’ jobs within six months, with a comprehensive plan to be unveiled in the next budget session.
Addressing opposition criticism of his budget—labeled a “love letter” to the populace—he stood firm. “They must oppose; it’s their role. But this budget isn’t just for BJP or NC—it’s for Congress, PDP, People’s Conference, and every voter in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s a love letter to all our people, and I’ll keep writing it for the next five years,” he vowed.
