Kangana Ranaut on India’s Name Change: ‘Bharat is So Meaningful’

As India engages in debates over the potential name change of the nation to Bharat, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has added her voice to the conversation. Known for her candid views on social media, Kangana shared a comprehensive note outlining her perspective on why she believes ‘Bharat’ carries more cultural and historical significance than the name ‘India.’

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Kangana Ranaut expressed her thoughts on the matter in a detailed message. She began by delving into the historical context of the name ‘India’ and its evolution over time. Kangana wrote, “What is there to love in this name? First of all, they couldn’t pronounce ‘Sindhu,’ so they distorted it into ‘Indus.’ At times, they referred to us as ‘Hindos,’ and at other times, ‘Indos,’ eventually settling on ‘India.'”

Kangana went on to explore the roots of the name ‘Bharat’ and its deep connection to ancient Indian history. She explained, “From the time of Mahabharata, all the kingdoms that participated in the Great War of Kurukshetra were collectively referred to as one continent, Bharat. So, why were they calling us ‘Indu Sindu’? Also, the name ‘Bharat’ is so meaningful; what is the meaning of ‘India’?”

The actress concluded her note by delving into the historical connotations of the term ‘Indian’ in old English, highlighting that it once meant ‘slave.’ She argued that the British assigned this name to the people of the Indian subcontinent and emphasized that ‘Bharatiya’ is a more appropriate term for the nation.

Kangana’s comments have elicited mixed reactions from the public. While some expressed agreement with her views and commended her for her perspective, others raised concerns and called her stance into question. One user defended Kangana by writing, “Beauty with brain,” while another added, “The queen has spoken. Period.”

The discussions surrounding India’s name change to Bharat come in the wake of the Rashtrapati Bhawan’s invitations for the G20 dinner, which were issued in the name of the President of Bharat instead of the usual President of India. This development has prompted debates about the country’s identity and constitutional framework.

Kangana Ranaut, known for her outspoken nature, is currently awaiting the release of her film ‘Chandramukhi 2,’ scheduled for September 19. Additionally, she is working on ‘Emergency,’ a film in which she portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with a theatrical release date set for November 24.