New Delhi (IANS): The Supreme Court slammed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Thursday for describing the judiciary as “corrupt” in a Class 8 Social Science textbook. The Court labelled the move a “calculated” attack that has left the institution “bleeding.”
Key Court Actions
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, issued several immediate mandates:
- Nationwide Seizure: The Court ordered the immediate seizure of all physical copies of the textbook from schools, retailers, and warehouses.
- Digital Takedown: The Bench directed authorities to remove all digital versions of the book from online platforms.
- Total Ban: The Court imposed an absolute ban on any further publication, reprinting, or circulation of the material.
- Show-Cause Notices: The Bench demanded that the Secretary of School Education and NCERT Director Dr. Dinesh Prasad Saklani explain why the Court should not initiate contempt proceedings against them.
The Court’s Observations
The Bench noted that the textbook failed to mention the judiciary’s historic roles, such as upholding the Basic Structure Doctrine or expanding legal aid. Instead, the Court found the content “demeaned the dignity” of the institution.
“They fired the gunshot — the judiciary is bleeding today,” the CJI-led Bench remarked, dismissing the idea that the error was accidental.
Accountability and Next Steps
While Solicitor General Tushar Mehta offered an unconditional apology and confirmed that officials were working to retrieve 32 copies already in the market, the Court remained skeptical. CJI Kant criticized the lack of a formal apology in official notices and demanded the names and credentials of the syllabus committee members who approved the chapter.
The Court clarified that while it does not wish to stifle academic discourse, it will not tolerate biased content that scandalizes constitutional institutions.
Compliance Timeline:
- State Education Secretaries: Must submit compliance reports within two weeks.
- Next Hearing: The Court scheduled the matter for further review in four weeks.
