In the backdrop of the India vs Bharat controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that there is no difference between India and Bharat, and both the names have been incorporated in our constitution. He further said that some people are forcibly trying to make an issue out of it, portraying this as a controversy. The Union Minister made the remarks while addressing the Western Zone Vice-Chancellors’ Conference at Statue of Unity, Kevadia. The first zonal-level was organised by the Government of Gujarat and the M.S University Baroda to amplify the ground implementation of the NEP 2020. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patet, and UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar were also present at the event, alongside other officials.
Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks hit back at the opposition who have been targetting the Union government over referencing the country as ‘Bharat’ instead of India. The exchange of words between the centre and the opposition kicked off during the G20 Summit in Delhi last month following Rashtrapati Bhavan’s G20 Dinner invitation mentioning ‘President of Bharat,’ instead of the usual ‘President of India.’ The row sparked further yesterday after media reports claimed that the NCERT has approved the recommendation of its expert panel to replace India with ‘Bharat’ in all school textbooks.
However, later in the evening yesterday, NCERT clarified on the media reports by saying that the new syllabus and school curriculum is under development, and it is too premature to comment on the concerned issue at the moment. However, the opposition was quick to hit back at the move targeting the centre.
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“In our passports, we have the Republic of India… I think something wrong has happened to this government… Why are they confusing the minds of Indians?. Whatever stand they have taken is completely anti-people, anti-India, and anti-Bharat. I am telling you they (NCERT) have been forced by the NDA government. This is completely wrong… You can’t change the history of India… Karnataka will continue with whatever there was earlier,” Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said while taking on the Union government.
Speaking on the development, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “We don’t have an issue with either Bharat or India, I’m telling you that PM Modi has an issue with India and that happened only after the INDIA alliance has been formed. In our constitution, both India and Bharat are used and both should be used.”
Kerala Rejects Recommendations Given By NCERT’s Social Sciences Committee
Kerala Education Minister S SIvankutty ha said that Kerala rejects the recommendations made by the NCERT’s Social Sciences Committee. He further said that citizens have the right to use India or Bharat as mentioned in the Constitution. “Kerala rejects the recommendations given by the NCERT committee for social sciences. Citizens have the right to use India or Bharat as mentioned in the Constitution. Kerala also rejects the move to twist historical facts.” S Sivankutty said.
“Earlier when NCERT removed certain portions Kerala had included them in the syllabus as additional textbooks. If NCERT intends to teach children through textbooks things that are unconstitutional, unscientific and distorting the real history, then Kerala will defend itself by having debates academically. We will convene the State Curriculum Committee and discuss in detail the work of preparing the 44 textbooks currently used in the state keeping academic interest in mind,” he added.
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