NCERT Issues Unconditional Apology, Withdraws Controversial Textbook After Supreme Court Rebuke
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Tuesday issued a formal public apology and announced the complete withdrawal of a social science textbook that contained a chapter discussing "corruption" and "backlogs" within the judiciary. The council described its apology as "unconditional and unqualified."
Supreme Court's Strong Reaction and Directives
This decisive action by NCERT follows a stern reprimand from the Supreme Court of India. The apex court characterized the inclusion of the chapter as a "deep-rooted and well-planned conspiracy" aimed at undermining the judiciary's integrity.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, issued a show-cause notice to the NCERT Director and the School Education Secretary. The notice demands an explanation for why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them for approving the controversial textbook content.
Immediate Seizure and Compliance Orders
In a sweeping order, the Supreme Court mandated the immediate seizure of all physical and digital copies of the textbook titled "Exploring Society: India and Beyond" for Grade 8 (Part II). The problematic content was found in Chapter IV, named "The Role of Judiciary in our Society."
The court directed NCERT, in coordination with Union and state education departments, to ensure the removal of all copies from public access. This includes copies held in storage facilities, retail outlets, and educational institutions across the country.
The bench explicitly stated: "It shall be the personal responsibility of the NCERT director and the principal of every school where the book has reached to effectuate immediate seizure and sealing of all copies of the book in their premises and submit a compliance report."
Furthermore, the court ordered that no instruction be imparted using this textbook. Principal secretaries of all state governments have been instructed to ensure full compliance with these directives.
NCERT's Official Statement and Withdrawal
In its official statement, NCERT confirmed, "The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available."
The council's apology and the subsequent withdrawal of the textbook mark a significant response to the judicial intervention, highlighting the sensitivity of educational content concerning India's judicial institutions.
