The NCERT move has ignited a political storm in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with critics warning of a deliberate push for Hindi dominance at the expense of regional languages
NEW DELHI – The recent National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) move to give Hindi titles to English textbooks has ignited a fresh controversy, with leaders from southern states accusing the Centre of linguistic imposition.
The move involves renaming well-known English textbooks such as the Class 6 English reader Honeysuckle to Poorvi, while Class 1 and 2 English books have been retitled Mridang and the Class 3 book as Santoor—names associated with Indian classical music and instruments. Similarly, the Class 6 mathematics book will now be known as Ganit Prakash, and Class 3’s as Maths Mela.
The decision, made as part of the rollout of textbooks under the National Education Policy (NEP), has been heavily criticised in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with politicians warning that such actions threaten the country’s linguistic diversity and federal structure.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty denounced the change as “irrational” and demanded its immediate review. “This is against the spirit of India’s federalism and our constitutional values. Education must be a tool of empowerment and consent, not of imposition,” he stated in a press conference.
He further added, “English titles have been used for decades to promote inclusivity and linguistic harmony. Replacing them with Hindi terms is completely wrong and goes against the grain of India’s multilingual character.”
Echoing similar concerns, Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which has consistently opposed the imposition of Hindi, slammed the move. Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson questioned, “Is this the three-language policy they keep talking about? Even English books are being given Hindi names now. Where is the space for regional languages?”
Chief Minister MK Stalin has long maintained that the NEP’s language policy is an indirect attempt to promote Hindi dominance in education, especially in non-Hindi speaking regions like Tamil Nadu. The state has already set up an expert committee to formulate its own education policy, refusing to implement the NEP.
The renaming has not been limited to just English books. New NCERT books for Classes 1 to 6 are being released under the NEP framework. While earlier editions carried distinct titles in different languages—such as Mathematics in English, Ganit in Hindi, and Riyazi in Urdu—the new editions carry a single Hindi title for all versions, such as Ganit Prakash.
For states like Kerala, which prize cultural and linguistic autonomy, this shift is seen as symbolic of a larger trend of cultural centralisation. “This is a cultural imposition. What justification can be offered for renaming English books in Hindi?” asked Sivankutty, calling on other southern states to “collectively resist” such actions.
Despite mounting criticism, the Union government has defended the decision. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the three-language policy is a constitutional mandate and a central element of the NEP 2020.
However, critics argue that there is no constitutional requirement for Hindi naming in English textbooks. “Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that English books should carry Hindi titles,” said a senior academic who wished to remain anonymous.
The decision has raised broader questions about the Centre’s approach to education reform and the status of regional languages. Analysts warn that such decisions could deepen the North-South divide and damage cooperative federalism.
Language politics has long been a contentious issue in India, particularly between the Hindi-speaking heartland and southern states. Tamil Nadu has a history of resisting Hindi imposition, dating back to the anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s. The present move is thus being seen in a larger historical context.
“There’s a deep-rooted suspicion here. The Centre must remember that any attempt to tamper with linguistic identity is bound to face resistance,” said political analyst R Balasubramaniam.
Southern states argue that promoting Hindi over regional languages—even symbolically through textbook titles—sends a message of exclusion. Critics contend that while promoting Indian cultural heritage is important, it should not come at the cost of sidelining regional languages and English, which remains a global lingua franca.
Amid the political controversy, students and teachers are left to navigate the confusion. “Our students are already struggling with a new curriculum and format. These changes in names only add to the chaos,” said a school teacher from Bengaluru.
Many educators feel that while promoting Indian values through education is important, the medium and language of instruction should reflect the diverse linguistic reality of the country. “Naming English books in Hindi will only alienate non-Hindi speakers and complicate learning,” said a Chennai-based principal.
