New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that there is no difference between India and Bharat, and the controversy surrounding the suggestion to replace “India” with “Bharat” in textbooks is unnecessary. He mentioned that both names have significance, and the competition to create controversy is fueled by a few frustrated individuals.
Pradhan, while addressing a Vice Chancellors’ Conference on the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in Narmada district of Gujarat, said a “controversy has been going on for some time on whether our country should be known as India or Bharat.”
“But what is the difference? There is no difference between Bharat and India. Bharat is the name of this country. It was during the colonial period that the English-speaking people gave the country the name India,” he said. “Our Constitution have given significance to both Bharat and India.”
Pradhan’s comments followed a political row over the proposal made by a high-level committee, which triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties, particularly in southern states, who criticized it as a political gimmick and an attempt to distort history. The NCERT clarified that no decision has been taken yet on the panel’s recommendation.
