The NCERT has issued a public apology for including a chapter on judicial corruption in its Class 8 textbook. The council stated that it accepts its mistake unconditionally and unreservedly. Following this, all copies of the textbook have been withdrawn from the market.
Two weeks after the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on a social science textbook containing a controversial chapter on the judiciary, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an unconditional public apology.
Published in newspapers, the apology stated: “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 The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available.”
Controversial Chapter Sparks Supreme Court Remarks
The chapter in the Class 8 social science textbook had a section on “corruption in the judiciary”, which drew sharp criticism from the Supreme Court. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked: “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.”
In response, NCERT immediately halted distribution of the textbook. Officials acknowledged that certain “inappropriate” content and an “error of judgement” had inadvertently made it into the chapter.
Supreme Court Orders Ban and Probe
The Supreme Court took suo motu action, issuing a blanket ban on the book. It also ordered the seizure of all physical copies and removal of digital versions. The court stressed that if such incidents are allowed to go unchecked, they could erode public trust in the judiciary. The Chief Justice added: “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.”
Centre Extends Apology
Earlier, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, extended an unconditional apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education. He stated that the two individuals responsible for referring to ‘corruption in the judiciary’ would “never work with the UGC or any ministry.”
However, the Chief Justice remained firm, saying: “That is of very little consequence. They fired a gunshot, and the judiciary is bleeding today.”
