Congress Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of displaying what he termed “fake outrage” regarding the recent controversy surrounding NCERT textbooks. In a post on ‘X’, Ramesh characterized Modi’s reaction as a damage control attempt, asserting that the situation reflects a broader pattern of systematic indoctrination rather than an inadvertent error.

Ramesh further alleged that the Prime Minister has contributed to a network of individuals lacking academic credibility, which has severely tarnished educational materials through what he called an “ideological virus.” He stated that Modi’s criticisms of the NCERT textbooks, particularly concerning the depiction of the judiciary, are an exercise in hypocrisy given his leadership over a decade that has witnessed significant alterations to educational content.

“After demonstrating real moral cowardice in Israel, the Prime Minister expresses fake outrage over the NCERT books issue,” Ramesh wrote. He continued, “He is communicating his dissatisfaction with the critical references to the judiciary in these textbooks, yet he is the one who has presided over the manipulation of academic integrity.” The Congress MP also made references to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), suggesting Modi has played a central role in shaping a “Nagpur Communal Ecosystem” responsible for the rewriting of textbooks.

Government’s Apology and Actions on Textbook Content

In response to the rising controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed regret on behalf of the government following action taken by the Supreme Court. The court had issued show cause notices to high-ranking officials within the Education Ministry and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) due to the inclusion of a sub-chapter titled “Corruption in the judiciary” in a Class 8 Social Science textbook.

Pradhan reaffirmed the government’s respect for the judiciary and acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the inclusion of the contentious chapter. “I directed the NCERT to withdraw and cancel all books containing this material,” he stated. Emphasizing the seriousness of the issue, he added, “We have no intention to undermine our judicial system, and whatever the Supreme Court mandates will be adhered to.”

The Supreme Court, which conducted suo motu proceedings on this matter, has required explanations from the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani regarding the actions that led to the textbook’s controversial section. The court expressed a firm stance, imposing a ban on the problematic content and warned against any attempts to circumvent its ruling, stating such actions could amount to contempt of court.

Ongoing Developments in the NCERT Textbook Controversy

The backdrop of this controversy involves significant scrutiny over how educational materials are curated and the implications of ideological influence on school curricula. Ramesh’s comments drew attention to concerns regarding the integrity of academic content in India, pointing toward ongoing debates about educational reforms and political influences in academia.

As the investigation unfolds, the discussions surrounding the North Council’s revisions are expected to continue, further highlighting the complex interplay between education, governance, and public perception in India. The outcome of the Supreme Court’s proceedings may shape future guidelines concerning the educational syllabus and its alignment with judicial expectations.

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