“NCERT adopts a broad and widespread consultative approach for developing its curriculum framework, syllabus and textbooks,” the Union Minister added.In October last year, Sivankutty had sent emails to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pradhan, requesting their intervention in the matter.In these letters, the Kerala minister had emphasized the importance of maintaining the existing practice for the benefit of the educational system and the nation’s unity, which is rooted in its diverse cultural heritage.Sivankutty had pointed out that for generations, students have learned about the country’s rich past, history, and heritage under the name ‘India.’He had added that any change in this nomenclature would lead to confusion and disrupt the continuity of the educational system.The Social Science committee of NCERT had suggested that ‘India’ should be called ‘Bharat’ in all Social Science textbooks up to Class XII. The committee was chaired by historian Prof CI Isaac. The recommendations of the committee are not binding on the NCERT. The committee is part of 25 panels that have been set up to suggest changes to the content of NCERT text books as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also categorically made it clear that the NCERT panel’s recommendation cannot be accepted.Urging all citizens to unite and safeguard the essence of India, he had said that the present recommendation could be seen only as a continuation of the recent arbitrary exclusion of portions including Mughal history and the banning of the RSS following Gandhi’s assassination from textbooks.The politics behind the move are as clear as day, the CM had said.
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