FROM BHARAT-THAT IS INDIA TO BHARAT VS INDIA?

What's in a name? When it comes W to our argumentative republic, you know the answer will be a deafening cacophony.

- KAI FRIESE

The ongoing controversy over the putative plot to dispense with 'India' as one of the two official names of our country has led to and been amplified by significant social (and mainstream) media chatter and prompted widespread speculation, mirthful memes, rancour and, of course, colourful conspiracy theories. The immediate backstory, most people would agree, extends to the acronym for the opposition alliance, announced in July. That sleight of brand did seem to rattle the ruling party, provoking a number of ripostes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who reminded his backbenchers that even the East India Company and the Indian Mujahideen claimed 'India', before going on to pepper the new alliance with 'dots' in Parliament itself. More recently, there was the statement by the RSS chief, urging 'people' to "stop using the word 'India' and start using 'Bharat." Given that this statement was broadcast a couple of days after the government's announcement of a special session of Parliament to be convened