Centre Stands Firm on ‘Bharat’ Recommendation, Rejects Kerala’s Appeal for Reconsideration
The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has rebuffed the Kerala Government’s plea to reconsider the recent recommendation by an NCERT panel suggesting the substitution of ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in school textbooks. Pradhan, in response to a letter from Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty, maintained that the Constitution recognizes both terms, indicating that they can be used interchangeably.
Defending the NCERT-appointed Sociology Committee’s proposal, Pradhan clarified that the autonomous body acknowledges ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’ as official names of the country without favoring one over the other. The Education Minister pointed out Article 1 of the Constitution, stating, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.”
Sivankutty had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pradhan in October, emphasizing the need to preserve the existing practice for the benefit of the educational system and national unity rooted in cultural diversity. The Kerala minister highlighted the potential confusion and disruption to the continuity of the educational system if the nomenclature were to change.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan echoed this sentiment, categorically rejecting the NCERT panel’s recommendation. He emphasized the importance of unity in safeguarding the essence of India, expressing concern that the move could disrupt the educational system’s continuity, drawing parallels to recent exclusions and bans in textbooks. Vijayan asserted that the political undertones of the recommendation are evident, emphasizing the need for citizens to unite in protecting India’s diverse cultural heritage.
