The Supreme Court has banned the publication and distribution of a Class 8 NCERT social science textbook. The book contains content deemed “offending” regarding corruption within the judiciary. The court thanked the media for bringing the issue to public attention. The ban was imposed on March 7, 2024 .
Court Orders Seizure of Textbook
A Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, ordered the immediate seizure of all copies of the textbook. This includes physical and digital versions held in storage, retail, and educational institutions. The court mandated that these copies be removed from public access and any further teaching based on the content must cease.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) must work with education departments to enforce the seizure. The NCERT director and school principals are personally responsible for compliance. A report detailing these actions is required.
Concerns Over Judiciary’s Image
The court expressed shock at the textbook’s content, which it described as a “biased narrative.” The book reportedly highlights numerous complaints against the judiciary, suggesting a lack of action and institutional corruption. It also omits acknowledgments of the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional values and the basic structure doctrine.
Justices stated that exposing young students to such content could create “permanent misconceptions” about the judiciary. They emphasized the importance of balanced education for students in their formative years. The court plans to investigate the committee that approved the chapter.
Media’s Role Acknowledged
Chief Justice Surya Kant acknowledged the media’s role in making the issue public. He stated that without media attention, the damage to the judiciary’s reputation could have been “completely irreversible.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta distinguished between responsible mainstream media and tabloids that he claimed create problems.
The court noted that the framers of the Constitution took precautions to ensure the autonomy of democratic pillars: legislature, executive, and judiciary. The current situation was deemed a risk to this balance.
NCERT’s Response
NCERT had previously issued a press release regarding the textbook. The court mentioned it would review the sincerity of any apology tendered by NCERT at a later stage. The court is seeking details about the members of the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee who approved the chapter.
The next hearing for this case is scheduled for March 11 .