In the controversy over NCERT class 8 textbooks, Rajya Sabha MP from Communist Party of India, B. Sandosh Kumar, on Friday, said that while the controversial textbook section had drawn sharp criticism and was eventually banned by the Supreme Court, the focus should not be limited to just one book.
Kumar also questioned “reckless or objectionable contents”, stressing the need for a broader look at other educational materials.
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Speaking to ANI, he said, “NCERT textbooks created a lot of controversy and, in the end, the Supreme Court had to ban them. But at the same time, you must understand one thing. Many other textbooks have reckless or objectionable content. So what about those contents? That’s right. This was completely defamatory…”
The controversy erupted after the Supreme Court objected to the inclusion of the sub-chapter in a class 8 social science textbook, observing that such content could have serious implications.
The Supreme Court of India, on Thursday, issued show cause notices to the Minister of Education and Literacy (MoE) and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for inclusion of a sub-chapter titled ‘Corruption in Judiciary’ in NCERT class 8 social science textbook.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalia Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to stay the proceedings suo motu despite NCERT apologizing over the controversial inclusion and imposing a blanket ban on the textbook section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass the order would be considered a direct interference in the administration of justice and could lead to contempt of court.
The Supreme Court also directed NCERT to submit detailed records to the Teaching and Learning Subjects Committee that approved the dismissal, including the names, qualifications and credentials of all members of the development team.
