New Delhi: A high-level committee assigned by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to revamp school curricula in India has put forth several recommendations. These suggestions include replacing the term “India” with “Bharat” in school textbooks for all grades. Committee chairperson C I Isaac has advocated this change, alongside the introduction of “classical history” instead of “ancient history” and the incorporation of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into the syllabus for all subjects.
Isaac emphasized the historical significance of the term, pointing out that it dates back to ancient texts like the Vishnu Purana, which is over 7,000 years old. Dinesh Saklani, the Chairman of NCERT, however, clarified that no final decisions have been made regarding the committee’s recommendations.
The use of the name “Bharat” in official contexts became noticeable when G20 invitations were sent in the name of the “President of Bharat” instead of “President of India.” This nomenclature was also employed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate during the G20 summit in New Delhi.
Reacting to this development, Kerala’s Education Minister, V Sivankutty, has criticized the recent recommendations made to the NCERT. Sivankutty has labelled this move as “narrow politics” and has raised questions about the motives behind it, suggesting the presence of “twisted interests.”
He stated that Kerala rejects these recommendations from one of the NCERT committees for Social Sciences, emphasizing that citizens have the right to use either “India” or “Bharat” as mentioned in the Constitution. Moreover, Sivankutty revealed plans to establish a State Curriculum Committee to thoroughly discuss the content of the 44 textbooks currently in use.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also criticized this proposal, describing it as a “panic reaction” by the BJP to the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc. The TMC sees it as an attempt to promote Hindutva ideology in educational institutions. TMC spokesperson and MP Santanu Sen emphasized that the BJP is resorting to such measures due to their fear of the INDIA alliance and as a diversion from the perceived failures of the BJP government at the Centre. He also pointed out the challenges posed by the National Education Policy (NEP) in the education system.
