India as Bharat ? Supreme Court dismisses PIL

The Supreme Court Bench of Chief Justice of India HL Dattu and Justice AK Sikri today declined to hear a public interest litigation which sought a direction from the Court to rename India as ‘Bharat’.

The petition filed by Niranjan Bhatwal did not see favour with the Apex Court and the Court reportedly said, “You (Bhatwal) can come to us only after the authorities have responded to your representation or choose not to respond,”

The petition was then dismissed as withdrawn. However, the petitioner can again petition the Supreme Court in case the government refuses to respond or rejects his representation. The Supreme Court made it clear that it may entertain the matter only when the authorities do not take adequate steps.