The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to swiftly comply with a Supreme Court order from June 3, 2020, to consider a representation advocating the replacement of “India” with “Bharat” or “Hindustan” in the Constitution. Justice Sachin Datta, in a March 12 ruling, permitted petitioner Namaha to withdraw his plea while pressing the government to address the issue, which has lingered unresolved for nearly five years.

Namaha, represented by senior advocate Sanjeev Sagar, had initially approached the Supreme Court in 2020, seeking an amendment to Article 1 to reflect India’s cultural identity. The apex court redirected it as a representation for ministerial review, but with no progress, Namaha turned to the Delhi HC. “There’s been no update from the respondents,” the plea stated, arguing that “India” carries colonial baggage, while “Bharat” aligns with the nation’s ethos—a sentiment echoed in the 1948 Constituent Assembly debates favoring the name.

The petitioner contended that renaming would shed colonial legacies, especially as cities like Bombay and Madras have embraced Indian names. “The time is ripe to recognize our original name, Bharat,” the plea urged. Justice Datta’s order, dismissing the petition as withdrawn, emphasized that the Centre’s counsel must ensure “expeditious compliance” with the Supreme Court’s directive.