INDIA looks at ‘Jeetega Bharat’ tagline, plans its floor strategy

While almost all the Opposition parties are seeking a discussion on the Manipur situation, the parties are keen to raise several other issues as well. The DMK, for instance, has given a notice in Rajya Sabha demanding suspension of all business to take up a discussion on the activities of the Governor of Tamil Nadu, saying it infringes on the rights of the elected state government and its legislative jurisdiction.

Follow our live blog for the latest from Parliament!

At the meeting convened by the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the parties will try to prioritise the issues to be raised jointly. They have already decided to put up a joint front in Parliament to corner the government. The joint statement issued after the Bengaluru summit had talked about the Manipur situation and the assault on the federal structure.

While there are conflicting versions on the tagline, sources in various parties said the word “Bharat” would certainly figure in it. At the meeting of the Opposition parties in Bengaluru, some leaders had suggested that the alliance should have a Hindi tagline and the word Bharat should figure in it.

The final tagline is likely to be replicated in several regional languages. “The essential message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra: Judega Bharat. The essential message of the Bengaluru conclave of 26 political parties: Jeetega INDIA,” Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh said in a Twitter post.

On Tuesday, hours after the Opposition decided to name their alliance INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had tweeted: “Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat. BJP for BHARAT.”

I made one tweet on BHARAT and Congress remembered the huge success of Start Up India, Skill India and Digital India .

The Constitutional adoption of the name – India , was borrowed from a Colonial legacy and continues to remain in force like many such legacies. But the… https://t.co/5Mtt7iGFbD

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 19, 2023

The Congress today attacked Sarma. “The BJP’s divisive tendencies are on full display, as they try to divide our country on its many names. India is Bharat, and Bharat is India. If you had ever looked at the Constitution, you would have read Article 1. You divide people on religious, caste, community, ethnicity, and regional lines on a daily basis. Are people who cheer for India on the cricket field not Bharatiya? Are Bharatiyas who proudly tell the world that they’re Indian any less patriotic? Mr Sarma, stop looking at India through its faultlines. Look at what unites us — our patriotism, our brotherhood and our harmony is what makes us Indian! Judega Bharat, Jeetega INDIA,” tweeted AICC general secretary K C Venugopal.

The BJP’s divisive tendencies are in full display, as they try to divide our country on its many names. India is Bharat, and Bharat is India. If you had ever looked at the Constitution, you would have read Article 1.

You divide people on religious, caste, community, ethnicity,… https://t.co/HuszXMmKrN

— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) July 19, 2023

“Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital India – all new names for ongoing programmes. He’s asked CMs of different states to work together as ‘Team India’. He even made an appeal to Vote India! But when 26 political parties call their formation INDIA, he throws a fit and says the use of India reflects ‘colonial mentality’! He should go tell that to his Boss,” Ramesh said.

Hitting back, Sarma tweeted: “I made one tweet on BHARAT and Congress remembered the huge success of Start Up India, Skill India and Digital India. The Constitutional adoption of the name, India , was borrowed from a colonial legacy and continues to remain in force like many such legacies. But the civilisational conflict between Bharat and India runs much deeper than a mere choice of names. BHARAT must win, BHARAT will Win.”