The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over the inclusion of controversial content in a school textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The apex court objected to a chapter titled “Corruption in the Judiciary” in the revised Class 8 Social Studies textbook, stating that any attempt to undermine the dignity of a constitutional institution would not be tolerated.
The issue was brought to the attention of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi. They argued that introducing such sensitive subjects to young students could erode public confidence in the judiciary at an early age and send a negative message about the institution.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, Chief Justice Surya Kant reacted sharply, questioning the intent behind the inclusion of the chapter. He observed that if an institution was being maligned, the court would not permit it, adding that the move appeared to be deliberate. The CJI said he had received multiple calls and messages regarding the issue and announced that the matter would be taken up for hearing on Thursday.
Legal experts have pointed out that while reforms and transparency in the education system are essential, authorities must ensure that constitutional bodies are not portrayed in a manner that damages their credibility. They stressed that institutional integrity must be preserved, particularly in educational material meant for impressionable students.
Following the court’s observations, NCERT issued a statement expressing regret over the content. It clarified that the objective was to promote constitutional literacy and democratic awareness, not to diminish any institution. The Education Ministry stated that approximately 2.25 lakh printed copies had been recalled to warehouses, and revised editions would be distributed only after removing the objectionable material.