Kerala minister criticises NCERT move to use Hindi titles for English textbooks

general education minister V. Sivankutty on Monday criticised the reported decision of (National Council of Educational Research and Training) to use Hindi titles for English-medium textbooks, describing it as a serious irrationality and a cultural imposition that undermines India's linguistic diversity.

He argued that replacing long-standing English titles, which foster sensitivity and understanding among students, with Hindi titles such as Mridang and Santoor is inappropriate. This change, he contended, contradicts Kerala's commitment to preserving linguistic diversity and prioritising .

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan insists the three-language policy is a constitutional mandate and an integral part of the new National Education Policy (NEP) and that the southern states must comply or go without Central funds. However, the Indian Constitution has no such provision. Hindi is one of India’s many languages, though pitch it as the ‘national’ language.

The NCERT's move to rename several English-medium textbooks using Hindi titles in Roman script comes amidst Tamil Nadu’s trenchant opposition to the three-language policy, citing concerns over Hindi imposition on non-Hindi-speaking states.

NCERT began releasing new textbooks in 2023 as part of the NEP. The Hindi titles in Roman script feature on several newly introduced NCERT English-medium textbooks, including those focused on the English language.

For instance, the English textbook for Class 6, earlier titled Honeysuckle, now bears the title Poorvi (eastern), which is also the name of a raga in Hindustani classical music. Meanwhile, the textbook for Classes 1 and 2 are now titled Mridang, and that for Class 3 is now Santoor, both names of classical Indian music instruments.

The foreword for Poorvi, written by NCERT director Dinesh Saklani along with an introduction by academic coordinator Kirti Kapur, offers no explanation for the choice of title.

But the changes are not confined to English-language textbooks. For subjects such as mathematics, science, social science, art, physical education, and vocational education, the textbook authority has released books in English, Hindi, and Urdu versions.

Thus far, NCERT's practice has been to assign separate titles for textbooks according to language. For instance, the Class 6 mathematics textbook was titled Mathematics in English, Ganit in Hindi, and Riyazi in Urdu. However, the current editions carry the title Ganita Prakash for both English and Hindi versions.

The Union government’s attitude towards south Indian states has often seemed hostile and dismissive. The NCERT, meanwhile, has become a of the BJP-led Union government to edit and omit history, culture-tailoring it to fit the Hindi and Hindutva themes of an narrative.

As the Kerala minister stated, the NCERT's decision undermines federal principles and constitutional values. Textbook titles, he noted, are not merely labels; they shape students' perceptions and imagination. Therefore, English-medium students should have English titles in their textbooks, he said.

He called upon the NCERT to review and withdraw this decision and urged all states to unite against such impositions. Education, he emphasised, should be a tool for empowerment and consensus, not a tool for imposition.

With PTI inputs