New Delhi, March 18 -- A petitioner who had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an amendment to Article I of the Indian Constitution to rename "India" as "Bharat" or "Hindustan" has withdrawn the plea.

The petition sought a directive to change the current phrasing, "India, that is Bharat," to "Bharat/Hindustan as a Union of States."

The petitioner withdrew the plea with the liberty to pursue the matter with the concerned Ministry, in line with a previous order passed by the Supreme Court on June 3, 2020, in a similar case.

Justice Sachin Datta dismissed the PIL as withdrawn after the petitioner sought permission to do so.

"In view of the aforesaid, the present petition stands dismissed as withdrawn," Justice Datta ordered...