"We are Bhartiya not Indians": Kangana Ranaut voices her views on India's name change debate

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• Sep 6, 2023 | Dhupali Das

In the midst of India's ongoing name change controversy, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has once again made headlines by...

Digital Desk: In the midst of India's ongoing name change controversy, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has once again made headlines by sharing her perspective on social media. Known for her outspoken nature, Ranaut took to Twitter on Tuesday to express her views on the debate surrounding the name "India" and advocate for the use of "Bharat" as a more meaningful alternative.

In a lengthy note posted on her Twitter account, Kangana Ranaut questioned the significance of the name "India" and its historical origins. She began by stating, "What is there to love in this name? First of all, they couldn't pronounce 'Sindhu,' so they changed it to 'Indus.' Then, they alternated between 'Hindos' and 'Indos' before settling on 'India.'"

The actress delved into historical context, stating, "From the time of the Mahabharata, all the kingdoms that participated in the Great War of Kurukshetra were referred to collectively as 'Bharat.' So, why were they calling us 'Indu Sindu'? The name 'Bharat' is so meaningful; what is the meaning of 'India'?"

Ranaut concluded her note by shedding light on the historical connotations of the term "Indian." She claimed, "I know they called Red Indians that because, in old English, 'Indian' simply meant a slave. They named us 'Indians' because that was our new identity given to us by the British. Even in the olden days, the dictionary definition of 'Indian' meant a slave, and they only recently changed it. Also, it's not our name; we are 'Bhartiya,' not 'Indians.'"

While Kangana Ranaut's comments found support from many quarters, some critics accused her of hypocrisy. One user commented, "Till yesterday, you belonged to the 'Indian' film industry, and today you are asking 'what is the meaning of India?' Why this hypocrisy, Kangana?"

For context, the name change debate gained momentum after Rashtrapati Bhawan (the Presidential Residence) sent out invitations for the G20 dinner on September 9, using the title "President of Bharat" instead of the usual "President of India." This move led to political discussions, with the Congress party criticizing the Modi government, claiming that the "Union of States" was under assault.

Kangana Ranaut is currently gearing up for the release of her movie "Chandramukhi 2," scheduled for release on September 19. Additionally, she is working on her directorial project, "Emergency," in which she will portray the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The movie is set to hit theaters on November 24, adding to the anticipation surrounding her future projects.