The NCERT’s Social Science textbook for Class 8, titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II,” has had its reference to judicial corruption removed following a Supreme Court order. Concerns regarding the inclusion of a section on ‘Corruption in the Judiciary’ were raised during a hearing, prompting swift action from the court and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The textbook was seized from both retail locations and digital platforms, underscoring the court’s determination to preserve the integrity of educational materials.

Court’s Displeasure Over Textbook Content

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, presiding over a three-judge bench, expressed serious discontent over the inclusion of the contentious material. During the proceedings, lawyers, including renowned advocates Kapil Sibal and A.M. Singhvi, drew attention to the incident, leading the Chief Justice to assert that he would not tolerate any erosion of the judiciary’s reputation. He initiated urgent measures when the issue first surfaced, stating that no harm should come to the institution’s integrity.

Immediate Withdrawals and Apologies

Upon realizing the Supreme Court’s serious stance, NCERT promptly issued an apology and announced the withdrawal of the textbooks from circulation, alongside blocking the digital edition on its website. The statement from NCERT, led by Dinesh Prasad Saklani, described the inclusion of the material as an “unintentional error” and expressed regret. Nevertheless, the court found the mea culpa insufficient and insisted on further scrutiny into how the passage was validated.

Court Orders Comprehensive Investigation

The urgency of the matter escalated when the Supreme Court declared a complete ban on the textbook, bringing into question the decision-making process within the NCERT. A show-cause notice was issued to the Secretary of School Education and the NCERT Director, demanding clarification regarding the oversight. The Chief Justice noted that prior to the court hearing, he had instructed the Registrar to investigate the facts surrounding the chapter after seeing a media report.

Ministry’s Commitment to Reform

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the textbook had been withdrawn and pledged that NCERT would issue an unconditional apology. Furthermore, he indicated that individuals responsible for defending the chapter’s inclusion would be removed from their roles. The Ministry of Education reiterated the importance of providing accurate information to students, asserting the need for integrity in educational content.

Supreme Court’s Intent to Further Investigate

The Supreme Court indicated that the withdrawal of the textbook was just a preliminary measure. It expressed a desire to conduct a deeper investigation into how the inappropriate content was included in a textbook aimed at young students. The court has requested details from the NCERT regarding the members of the National Syllabi Board who worked on that segment, along with the original minutes from meetings related to its approval. These documents are to be submitted in four weeks for further examination.

Government’s Response to the Crisis

In light of the controversy, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan conveyed deep regret and assured that the government would fully comply with the Supreme Court’s directives. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the need to respect judicial authority. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed concern over the material’s suitability for students, questioning the appropriateness of teaching about judicial corruption to children. The NCERT textbook has now effectively been rendered obsolete, although the investigation into its publication continues.

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