The Indian state of Gujarat has announced that it will be renaming dragon fruit because its name "is associated to China", NDTV reported. Metaphorically, China is known as the "dragon", while India, for instance, is often referred to as the "elephant".
The state will now call dragon fruit "kamalam", which is the Sanskrit word for "lotus".
"As the outer shape of the fruit resembles a lotus, henceforth the dragon fruit shall be renamed as kamalam", Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.
The fruit, which is mainly imported from South America, is also cultivated in various parts of Gujarat like Bhuj, Gandhidham, and Mandvi.
The news has caused great buzz on social media, with netizens pointing out how "messed up" the priorities of Indian leaders are at such a crucial time.
In October 2020, when India was celebrating the power of Goddess Durga during the festival "Navratras", a makeshift tent in the state of West Bengal depicted Chinese President Xi Jinping as the demon slaughtered by the goddess.
The idol had Jinping's blood oozing from it while his severed head lay on the floor, and a lion was shown feasting on his body.
The developments come amid ongoing border woes between India and China that began in April 2020 when troops from the two countries accused each other of violating the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
In June 2020, India confirmed losing 20 soldiers in hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, eastern Ladakh.
After eight rounds of diplomatic talks, India and China have yet to reach a consensus to resolve the border standoff.