Row erupts

Issac, who heads the committee for social sciences, said the name change was part of the unanimous recommendations by the seven-member panel in its final position paper. Other recommendations included introducing classical history instead of ancient history as a component of the syllabus, and highlighting Hindu victories in battles over the centuries.

Bharat is an age-old name. The use of the name Bharat finds its mention in ancient texts such as Vishnu Purana, which is 7,000 years old, said Issac, who teaches history at CMS College in Kottayam and is closely linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The term India started being used commonly only after the establishment of the East India Company and the battle of Plassey in 1757. Therefore, the committee unanimously recommended that the name Bharat should be used in textbooks for students across classes, he added.