NCERT halts sale of class 8 social science textbook after row over 'corruption in judiciary' reference; issues apology

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, NCERT said it has put the book's distribution on "strict hold" and apologised for what it termed an "error of judgement"

• NCERT halts sale of class 8 book citing judiciary corruption.
• CJI Surya Kant says judiciary will not be defamed.
• NCERT apologises, calls the inclusion an error of judgement.

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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has stopped the sale of the class 8 social science textbook, which had references of “corruption in the judiciary”, triggering condemnation from the Supreme Court Bar and Bench.

The development came after the matter was raised in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, with chief justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant asserting that no one would be allowed to “defame” the institution of judiciary.

“I will take up the matter suo motu. I will not allow anybody to defame the institution. Law will take its course," CJI Kant said, adding that the move seems to be “calculated”.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the staff at the publication division book counter at the NCERT campus in Delhi on Wednesday said the book, which was being sold on Monday, was no longer available.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, NCERT said it has put the book's distribution on "strict hold" and apologised for what it termed an "error of judgement".

It said that after bringing out the social science textbook ‘Exploring Society: India and Beyond’, volume 2 for class 8 on February 24, "it has been observed that certain inappropriate textual material and errors of judgement have inadvertently crept into Chapter No 4, entitled 'The Role of Judiciary in our Society'."

NCERT said the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Education had also flagged the issue and directed that the distribution of the book be halted "until further orders", a direction that has been complied with.

"The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) holds the judiciary in highest esteem and considers it to be the upholder of the Indian Constitution and protector of Fundamental Rights. The aforesaid error is purely unintentional and NCERT regrets the inclusion of inappropriate material in the said chapter," the statement said.

The council further clarified that there was "no intent to question or diminish the authority of any constitutional body" and reiterated that the objective of the new textbooks is to "strengthen constitutional literacy, institutional respect, and informed understanding of democratic participation amongst students."

The new social science textbook said corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and the lack of an adequate number of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system.