Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty has strongly criticised the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) over its reported move to rename English-medium school textbooks with Hindi titles. Calling it a “serious irrationality” and a “cultural imposition,” the minister said the move undermines India’s linguistic diversity and federal ethos.

Sivankutty expressed concern over the recent decision to rename textbooks with Hindi titles such as Mridang, Santoor, and Poorvi, replacing long-standing English titles like Honeysuckle used in Class 6 textbooks, as per PTI.

“English Titles Are Integral To Learning Experience”

The Minister said that it was wrong to change the title and English-medium students should be able to use English titles. 

"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," said the minister, as per ANI. “These titles are not just labels; they influence a child’s thinking and imagination. English-medium students deserve English titles.”

He said such changes violate the spirit of linguistic inclusiveness and contradict Kerala’s educational values, which uphold regional autonomy and cultural pluralism.

Minister Sivankutty further argued that the NCERT’s move is a breach of constitutional principles and federal cooperation. Sivankutty concluded his statement by reiterating that education should serve as a means of empowerment and unity, not a vehicle for linguistic or cultural dominance.

Language Row Reignited?

The decision has reignited the ongoing national debate over language imposition, with leaders from non-Hindi speaking states, particularly from the South, voicing concerns over elements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu had also raised objections to perceived attempts to promote Hindi and Sanskrit at the cost of regional languages in the educational curriculum via NEP.