The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the government to remove the PDF version of Class 8 NCERT textbook that are available online. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the court wants to identify the person responsible for publishing a chapter that refers to corruption in the judiciary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the Centre supports the judiciary and will take any steps the Supreme Court asks for.
SC wraps Centre, NCERT
The Supreme Court on Thursday continued to strongly criticise NCERT over its new Class 8 Social Science textbook. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed serious concern about a chapter that talks about corruption and case backlogs in the judiciary. He said the content appeared to be part of a carefully planned attempt to damage the image of the courts.
“It seems to us that there is a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary. This, if allowed to go unchecked will erode the sanctity of judicial office in estimation of public at large and within impressionable minds of youth,” CJI Kant said.
ALSO READNCERT withdraws textbook after ‘corruption in judiciary’ chapter sparks Supreme Court outrage
For the second day in a row, the Chief Justice pulled up the National Council of Educational Research and Training over the issue.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta offered a full and unconditional apology on behalf of the Education Ministry.
ALSO READ‘Book seems to go against basic structure of Constitution’: SC slams ‘corruption in judiciary’ reference in NCERT Class 8 textbook
What is the NCERT textbook issue?
The matter relates to a Class 8 Social Science textbook brought out by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). A section in the book has led to controversy because it includes content about corruption in the judiciary. The Supreme Court took up the issue on its own.
The passage appears in a chapter titled “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society.”
The issue was brought to the court’s notice on Wednesday by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal before a bench led by the Chief Justice. During the hearing, the court said it had already taken note of the matter. |
