NCERT to Use Bharat and India Interchangeably in Textbooks, Deems Debate “Useless”

New Delhi: In a decisive move, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) announced on Monday that it will use the terms Bharat and India interchangeably in its textbooks. NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani addressed the ongoing debate over the usage of these names, calling it “useless.”

Firm Stance by NCERT

Speaking to PTI, Saklani emphasized that the council’s approach aligns with the Indian Constitution, which recognizes both Bharat and India as valid names for the country. He stated, “It is interchangeable…our position is what our Constitution says, and we uphold that. We can use Bharat, we can use India, what is the problem? We are not in that debate. Wherever it suits, we will use India; wherever it suits, we will use Bharat. We have no aversion to either India or Bharat.”

Saklani further highlighted that this practice of using both names is already reflected in existing NCERT textbooks and will continue in the new editions. He reiterated, “You can see both being used in our textbooks already and that will continue in new textbooks. This is a useless debate.”

Background of the Debate

The debate over the use of Bharat versus India gained momentum following recommendations by a high-level committee constituted by NCERT to revise the school curriculum. The committee, chaired by C I Isaac, suggested that “India” should be replaced with “Bharat” in textbooks for all classes.

Isaac explained the rationale behind the recommendation, stating, “The committee has unanimously recommended that the name Bharat should be used in the textbooks for students across classes. Bharat is an age-old name. The name Bharat has been used in ancient texts, such as Vishnu Purana, which is 7,000 years old.”

Context of the Debate

The Bharat vs India debate was initially ignited when G20 summit invitations were sent out under the title ‘President of Bharat’ instead of ‘President of India.’ This was followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate at the summit in New Delhi reading “Bharat” instead of India, further fueling the discussion.

Conclusion

With the NCERT’s stance on using Bharat and India interchangeably, it aims to put an end to the ongoing debate and focus on the educational content in line with constitutional provisions. The council’s decision underscores the flexibility and historical significance of both names, ensuring that students across the country are exposed to both terms in their academic curriculum.