Amid growing opposition criticism, NCERT has clarified that no final decision has been reached regarding the recommendations, which were proposed in response to the curriculum revision in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, including the suggestion to refer to India as “Bharat” in textbooks.
The controversy surrounding the proposal to use “Bharat” instead of “India” in NCERT textbooks has intensified. In response to this, the person responsible for the proposal, retired Professor CI Issacs, explained in an exclusive interview with NDTV that this change was intended for CBSE students and the classroom environment, while individuals are free to use either term at home.
Professor Issacs is leading the Committee for Social Sciences, which made the recommendation that has sparked controversy. While facing opposition criticism, NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) clarified that no final decision has been made regarding these recommendations, which were put forward as part of the effort to update the curriculum in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020.
In addition to the suggestion to replace “India” with “Bharat” in textbooks, the committee also recommended the introduction of “classical history” in place of “ancient history” and the inclusion of “Indian Knowledge System” in the syllabus.
Professor Issacs explained that this change is not about “removing” anything but rather addressing the influence of colonial education on people’s mindsets. He highlighted the need for a new educational system that aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for educational reform. He emphasized that the change is essential and has received support from various academicians not directly involved in the committee.
When asked about the potential for politicization of education, Professor Issacs emphasized that his team is not politically affiliated and comprises individuals, including housewives, with no political involvement. He clarified that the change is primarily intended for teachers, acknowledging that teachers, like himself, have been influenced by colonial education. He proposed implementing the change in the textbooks for senior classes, starting from Class 8.
Regarding the reference to “India” and “Bharat” in the Constitution’s first article, he explained that this rule would apply only to CBSE students and does not infringe on individual choice. Nonetheless, the proposal has been criticized by the Opposition, who view it as an attempt to indoctrinate future generations.
Some opposition leaders, such as Manoj Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, have argued that the proposal contradicts the intentions of the framers of the Constitution, including Babasaheb Ambedkar, Nehru, Azad, and Patel. They believe that this change could potentially lead to further alterations of historical documents.
The controversy initially began when G20 invites were sent in the name of the “President of Bharat” rather than the “President of India.” Later, during the G20 summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi’s nameplate read “Bharat” instead of “India,” further fueling the debate.
