Political Rift surged, Opposition Parties furious over Panel’s Proposal on Textbook renaming 'India As Bharat'

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• Oct 26, 2023 | Poonam Nath

MP Priyanka Chaturvedi described the notion as a "political decision," adding...

Digital Desk: On Wednesday, the opposition reacted boisterously to the NCERT panel's recommendation that the word 'India' be changed to 'Bharat' in school textbooks. Many leaders from other parties came out strongly against the plan. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned the concept as a "political decision," stating, "It is unfortunate that they are promoting an India Vs Bharat division." 

MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also added that "Dr. BR Ambedkar himself wrote the words 'India that is Bharat' in our Constitution. The Centre's bigotry will not be forgotten by future generations. India is also Bharat and Hindustan to us. If the BJP had any sense of national pride, it would not change the name 'India' to 'Bharat'."

"They (BJP) keep attacking the INDIA (grand Opposition) alliance," she added. They should critique us on the issues and the statements we engage in, but they should not play cheap politics in name of the country."

Bratya Basu, West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress leader, also criticised the Centre over the NCERT panel's recommendation, saying, "This is a ridiculous suggestion. The BJP-led national administration is terrified of the word INDIA. It's an odd decision."

Reportedly, Basu went on to say that "the suggestion sets a bad example and it seems that they are scared of INDIA and (TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee."

DK Shivakumar, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, also slammed the Centre over the NCERT panel's recommendation, asking, "Why are we still saying the Reserve Bank of India, Indian Administrative Service, and Indian Foreign Service? The words 'Republic of India' are still written on our passports."

"This regime, in my opinion, is inherently flawed. Why are they intentionally perplexing the citizens? On this topic, their approach is anti-people, anti-India, and anti-Bharat. The NCERT panel was compelled to do this by the NDA administration. This is just incorrect...you cannot change the country's past. The Karnataka government would not make such textbook revisions," he added.

Earlier, the BJP used the term 'Bharat' instead of 'India' in the official invitation from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the G20 member leaders and delegates for a ceremonial dinner, sparking a fierce political battle and raising doubts that the Centre was planning to introduce a motion in Parliament to rename 'India' as 'Bharat'.