NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) over references to “corruption in the judiciary” in a Class 8 Social Science textbook, observing that the controversy appeared to be the result of a “calculated move” that has left the judiciary “bleeding”.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, hearing a suo motu case titled “In Re: Social Science Textbook for Grade–8 (Part-2) published by NCERT and ancillary issues”, passed a series of sweeping interim directions, including an immediate nationwide seizure of the textbook, takedown of digital copies and a complete ban on its publication or circulation.
Recording its prima facie view that the publication reflected “a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary, ” the Bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, warned that allowing such narratives to remain unchecked would erode public confidence.
The apex court observed that while the chapter purported to discuss the role of the judiciary, it failed to acknowledge the institution’s historic contributions, including safeguarding constitutional morality, upholding the basic structure doctrine and strengthening access to justice through legal aid reforms.