The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) said that the title of the Grade 6 Kannada R3 textbook refers to the Krishna River [1].
This clarification comes as the agency seeks to resolve a growing controversy in Karnataka. Critics had suggested that the textbook title implied a religious reference to the deity Krishna, while others raised concerns regarding the promotion of specific dietary habits within the curriculum [1].
NCERT said the title was inspired by the Karnataka river and follows a specific river-based naming policy for its materials [2]. The agency aimed to neutralize claims that the naming convention was intended to introduce religious themes into the Grade 6 classroom [2].
Beyond the title dispute, the agency addressed a separate controversy involving a chapter titled “Health is Wealth.” Some groups claimed the content of the chapter promoted vegetarianism over non-vegetarian food [1].
NCERT said the chapter does not promote vegetarianism over non-vegetarian food [2]. The agency maintained that the instructional content is designed for educational purposes and does not seek to endorse one dietary preference over another [2].
These responses follow a period of scrutiny regarding the CBSE curriculum in Karnataka. The agency continues to emphasize that its naming policies and health-related content are based on geographic and educational standards, rather than religious or dietary ideologies [1].
“The Grade 6 Kannada R3 textbook title “Krishna” refers to the Krishna River.”
This dispute highlights the sensitivity of curriculum development in India, where geographic names can be interpreted as religious symbols. By clarifying the naming policy and dietary content, NCERT is attempting to prevent political escalation and ensure the curriculum remains compliant with secular educational standards in a diverse region.
