NCERT Issues Public Apology, Withdraws Class 8 Textbook Over Controversial Judiciary Chapter
Two weeks after the Supreme Court ordered a blanket ban on an NCERT social science textbook, the education body has published an unconditional apology in newspapers across the country, the NDTV reported.
The notice read: "The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently published a social science textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond' Grade 8 (Part-II) which contained Chapter IV titled 'The Role of Judiciary in our Society'. The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available."
The controversy erupted after a section within the chapter touched on alleged corruption in the judiciary, drawing fierce criticism from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. "I will not allow anyone on earth to taint the integrity of the institution and defame the institution. At any cost, I will not permit it. Whosoever high it may be, the law will take its course. I know how to deal with it," he said.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter, banning the book and directing the seizure of all physical copies along with the removal of digital versions.
The Chief Justice stressed accountability, saying, "No one will be allowed to go scot-free. It is my duty as the head of the institution to find out who is responsible; heads must roll."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, had earlier offered an apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education and informed the court that the two individuals responsible for the offending content would "never work with the UGC or any ministry." The Chief Justice remained unimpressed with the assurance. "That is of very little consequence. They fired a gunshot, and the judiciary is bleeding today," he said.
NCERT had previously halted distribution of the book, with officials attributing the content to an "error of judgment."
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