NCERT should review Hindi titles for textbooks move: Kerala minister
text_fieldsThiruvananthapuram: The decision to give Hindi titles to English medium textbooks is a serious illogicality, said Kerala Minister for General Education and Labour V Sivankutty. This is not only a violation of common sense, but is also an example of cultural imposition that will sabotage the linguistic diversity of our country.
It is absolutely wrong to change the English titles that have been used for decades to respect linguistic diversity and instill a sensitive approach in the minds of children, and to shift the focus to Hindi titles like Mridang and Santoor.
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.
The titles in the textbooks are not just names; they shape the perception and imagination of children. English medium students deserve English titles.
The Minister demanded that NCERT 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.