NCERT issues public apology for 'Judicial Corruption' chapter, withdraws book from market

NCERT issued a public apology on Tuesday. This apology was for a book that recently drew the ire of the Supreme Court. The book contained a chapter on judicial corruption, which the Supreme Court had objected to.

NCERT stated that the entire textbook has been withdrawn. The Class 8 social science textbook stated that corruption, a huge backlog of cases, and a lack of an adequate numbers of judges are among the challenges facing the judicial system.

Unconditional apology: NCERT

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NCERT said, "The National Council of Educational Research and Training recently published a social science textbook, 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond', Grade 8 (Part 2), which contained Chapter 4 titled 'The Role of Judiciary in Our Society.'"

It further stated, "The Director and members of NCERT tender their unconditional and unconditional apology for Chapter 4. The entire book has been withdrawn and is unavailable."

The Chief Justice had taken the matter to task.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi had taken suo motu cognizance of "objectionable" statements about the judiciary in NCERT books after senior lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi had sought immediate consideration of the matter.

CJI Kant had strongly objected to a chapter on judicial corruption in the NCERT's Class 8 syllabus, saying that no one in the world would be allowed to defame the judiciary and tarnish its integrity.

The central government had promised action.

The Supreme Court had completely banned any further publication, reprinting, or digital dissemination of the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook because it contained "objectionable" content on corruption in the judiciary.

The government had expressed displeasure over the inclusion of the controversial section in the textbook, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had promised to fix accountability and take action against those involved in drafting it.