NCERT Textbook Row Escalates as Supreme Court Issues Ban, Government Pledges Action
In a significant development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan declared on Thursday that the government holds the judiciary in the highest regard and will take strict action against those responsible for drafting a contentious chapter on judicial corruption in the Class 8 NCERT textbook. This statement came in direct response to the Supreme Court's directive to impose a comprehensive ban on the book, seize all physical copies, and remove its digital versions from circulation.
Government's Firm Stance on Judicial Respect
Addressing the media, Minister Pradhan emphasized, "Accountability will be firmly established, and decisive measures will be implemented against all individuals involved in the creation of the chapter addressing judicial corruption." He further reinforced the administration's position by stating, "We maintain utmost respect for the judiciary, and the directives issued by the court will be fully complied with without any delay."
BJP Backs Judiciary, Calls Matter "Sensitive"
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) echoed this sentiment, with party spokesperson Sambit Patra describing the issue as "highly sensitive." Patra elaborated, "Regarding the NCERT controversy, it is a delicate matter. As the party's spokesperson, I wish to clarify our stance: there is no institution, not only in India but across the globe, that is as independent and deserving of respect as the Indian judiciary." He also highlighted that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court of the government's unwavering support for the judiciary.
Supreme Court's Strong Intervention
The controversy erupted after the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, raised serious objections to a chapter titled "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society" in the newly introduced Class 8 social science textbook. The apex court labeled the content, which discussed corruption, case backlogs, and inadequate judge numbers, as "objectionable" and potentially part of a "well-orchestrated conspiracy to defame the judiciary."
A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, took suo motu cognizance of the matter following representations by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi. The court issued a show-cause notice to the NCERT Director and the School Education Secretary, demanding explanations for why action should not be taken against them. CJI Surya Kant asserted, "It is my duty to identify those responsible; heads must roll." The court also warned of severe consequences if its orders to enforce the blanket ban were disregarded.
NCERT's Immediate Response and Recall Efforts
In swift compliance, NCERT issued an apology for the inappropriate content, withdrew the textbook from its official website, and halted all further distribution. The council announced that the book would be rewritten in consultation with relevant authorities to align with the Supreme Court's directives. Out of the 2.25 lakh printed copies, 38 had already been sold, and efforts are underway to retrieve these copies from circulation.
The controversial chapter outlined India's judicial system while referencing issues such as corruption, case backlogs, and insufficient judges. This prompted the Supreme Court's intervention to safeguard the institution's integrity and preserve public confidence in the judiciary.
