India Already Called Bharat In The Constitution, SC Tells Petitioner Seeking Name Change

The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard a petition seeking direction to the Centre to amend the Constitution and change the name of the country from India to Bharat. Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde told the petitioner that India is already called Bharat in the Constitution. A bench headed by the CJI and comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy asked the petitioner's counsel, "Why have you come here? India is already called Bharat in the Constitution."

Advocate Ashwin Vaish, appearing for the Delhi-based petitioner, argued that the plea sought an amendment to Article 1 of the Constitution. To which, the CJI replied, "We can't do that."