In the wake of the Supreme Court’s wrath, NCERT is probing the textbook development process that led to the inclusion of a chapter on ‘judicial corruption’.
The Council also identifies individuals responsible for incorporating controversial material.
“NCERT is investigating the textbook preparation process that led to this lapse in judgement and is also identifying the persons responsible for it. This would also ensure that this kind of inappropriateness is completely avoided in the future. This will be done with utmost rigor,” the agency quoted sources as saying.
Several reports also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his displeasure over the row over NCERT textbooks. An NDTV report quoted the Prime Minister as saying: “Kaun dekh raha hai ye sab?”
Read also | ‘Accountability will be determined and action will be taken’: Education Minister’s first response to NCERT textbook row
Education Minister in NCERT class
Earlier in the day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed concern over the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) introducing a chapter on judicial corruption in its Class 8 textbook. He also promised to reform accountability and take action against those involved in drafting the controversial section.
His remarks came on a day when the Supreme Court observed that there appeared to be a “well-orchestrated conspiracy” to discredit the judiciary. The court imposed a ‘blanket ban’ on the Class 8 NCERT book and ordered the confiscation of all physical and digital copies.
The Education Ministry has written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (METI) to stop the publication of the controversial textbook through digital platforms, according to PTI.
A day after taking suo motu cognizance of the portions in the social science textbook, the Supreme Court on Thursday said it expects the Center to reform accountability.
“We expect the government to issue removal orders. The state will have to bear this responsibility,” the court said.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta confirmed that the two people involved in preparing the dismissal would no longer be associated with the ministry. However, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant described the action as a “very light-hearted measure”.
The court noted, “They fired bullets and the judiciary is bleeding today. The judges say their morale has decreased and people are talking about that.”
The authority stressed that the topic will not remain limited to students, noting that the content will also reach teachers and parents.
“It is a deep-rooted conspiracy to discredit the judiciary,” the Supreme Court said.
‘Heads should roll’: Supreme Court seeks deeper investigation
The Supreme Court sought a deeper investigation into the publication of the textbook, noting that it prominently refers to complaints against judges and suggests inaction.
However, the bench noted that the text failed to adequately highlight the role of the judiciary in upholding constitutional morality, the principle of basic structure, legal aid and access to justice.
“We need to find the person responsible and we will see who is there,” Surya Kant said.
“As head of the institution, I must know who the responsible people are behind it. Heads must roll, and I will not shut down these proceedings,” the ICJ said.
What happened?
NCERT Social Science Textbook for Class 8 said corruption, huge backlog of cases, and lack of adequate number of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system.
Following the Supreme Court’s stern remarks that it would not allow “any person on earth” to distort the integrity of the judiciary, the National Emergency Response Center pulled the textbook from its website. The sources said that the government is angry at these controversial signals.
NCERT on Wednesday apologized for the “inappropriate content” after facing the wrath of the Supreme Court over the dismissal, and said the book would be rewritten in consultation with relevant authorities.
