NCERT gives Hindi names to English-medium books, Kerala minister denounces it as great illogicality, cultural imposition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision to give Hindi titles to English medium textbooks of NCERT is a grave illogicality, Kerala Minister for General Education and Employment V Sivankutty said while criticising the council for its decision to give Hindi names to English-medium books. He further accused the central government of " cultural imposition " and of "sabotaging the linguistic diversity of the country."

"It is absolutely wrong to change the English titles that have been used for decades to respect linguistic diversity and instil a sensitive approach in the minds of children and to shift the focus to Hindi titles like Mridang and Santoor," the state minister said on Monday.

The Minister clarified that Kerala, like other non-Hindi speaking states, is committed to protecting linguistic diversity and giving priority to regional cultural freedom. This decision by NCERT is a step against federal principles and constitutional values, he said.

"The titles in the textbooks are not just names; they shape the perception and imagination of children. English medium students deserve English titles," Sivankutty argued.

Minister Sivankutty demanded that National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) should review and withdraw this decision and that all states unite against such impositions. The minister opined that education should not be an instrument of imposition but of empowerment and consensus.

Recently, NCERT released the new names of books for various classes. Class 1 and Class 2 books are now named as 'Mridang' and a Class 3 book named as 'Santoor'. The Class 6 English book has been renamed from 'Honeysuckle' to 'Poorvi.'

The recent name changes has reignited the language row as multiple ministers of different states, including Kerala and Tamil, accuse the central government of trying to "impose Hindi" on school students through the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has also criticised the central government for "Hindi imposition" before, claiming that the latter has denied certain funds to state schools for refusing to implement the three language formula in the NEP.