- The Supreme Court demanded accountability over a section about corruption in the judiciary in a school book
- The court banned the book in India and abroad, ordering seizure of all copies and online bans
- NCERT's apology was deemed insufficient by the court, which called for a deeper probe and heads to roll
The Supreme Court demanded accountability from the federal government and the NCERT, or the National Council of Educational Research and Training Thursday as it outraged over a section on 'corruption in the judiciary' in a new Social Science textbook for Class VIII students.
"We would like to have a deeper probe. We need to find out who is responsible… heads must roll! We won't close the case," the court said as it grilled Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, arguing for the NCERT
In a fierce order the bench-led by Chief Justice Surya Kant also banned the book, in India and abroad, and directed seizure of all copies. It also issued a blanket ban on sharing the book online, in whole or in parts and issued notices to the centre and the NCERT Chairman, Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani.
Moments earlier Tushar Mehta had said the two individuals responsible for referring to 'corruption in the judiciary' – as part of the chapter – 'The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society' – would "never work with the UGC or any ministry". "We stand by the institution. no one will get away scot-free."
The Chief Justice, though, was singularly unimpressed.
"That is of very little consequence. They fired gunshot and judiciary is bleeding today," the Chief Justice raged, "This looks like a deep-rooted conspiracy. A very calculated move."
RECAP | "Won't Allow Anyone To Defame Institution": Supreme Court On NCERT Row
The Chief Justice also hauled up Mehta over a NCERT press release that acknowledged "inappropriate textual material (had) inadvertently crept" into the chapter. In it, the NCERT also said it "regrets this error of judgement" but the statement, in the court's opinion, fell short of the apology demanded.
He also pointed the book is still on sale; "It's available in market… I got a copy from sources."
Mehta had said 32 books had entered the market but had now been withdrawn.
"The entire chapter will be revised. There is another part about pendency… 'justice delayed is justice denied'," he said taking offense on the court's behalf, "We can't teach that justice is denied."
He also said, "In the suo motu case (the top court has taken up this matter of its own volition), at the outset we tender an unconditional apology." But in reply the Chief Justice pointed to media reports on the NCERT's statement and remarked, "…there is no word of apology in this."
On Wednesday high-level government sources said references to 'corruption in the judiciary' would be deleted, and that it "shouldn't have been written... inspirational things should have been written".
RECAP | 'Portion On Judiciary Will Be Removed': Government Sources Amid NCERT Row
This was shortly after the Supreme Court expressed "grave concern" on this issue and said members of the judiciary, including High Court judges, had been "perturbed" by the reference.
What the chapter said
The revised chapter - 'Role of the Judiciary in Our Society' - goes beyond explaining hierarchy of courts and access to justice, and addresses challenges like corruption and backlogs.
RECAP | NCERT Class 8 Book Lists "Corruption At Various Levels" In Judiciary
The book stated judges are bound by a code of conduct that governs their behaviour in court but also their conduct outside it, and highlights the judiciary's internal accountability mechanisms.
It also said efforts are being made at federal and state levels to strengthen transparency and public trust, including through of technology and swift action against instances of corruption.
What lawyers said
NDTV reached out to lawyers to understand the problem.
Senior lawyer Sidhart Luthra questioned a school-level education that 'complicates' rather than 'educates' young minds. At Class VIII, he said, the point is to familiarise students with the organs of governance and their functions.
RECAP | 'Complicates Young Minds': Supreme Court Lawyers On NCERT Row
Supreme Court lawyer Pragya Parijat Singh said mentioning corruption without 'critical analysis' showed a lack of understanding. "Judiciary has always endeavoured to have better laws. Everything has pros and cons. But to mention it this way... without any critical analysis of what role judiciary has played in shaping Indian democracy shows lack of understanding," she said.
