The Supreme Court strongly criticised NCERT for including references to judicial corruption in a new Class 8 social science textbook.
Chief Justice Surya Kant declared that he would not allow anyone to defame the institution and confirmed that the Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal raised the issue before the bench, stating that teaching children about corruption in the judiciary is a matter of grave concern. Chief Justice Kant responded firmly, saying, “Law will take its course. As head of the institution, I have done my duty and taken cognisance. This seems to be a calculated move.”
Justice Joymalya Bagchi described the textbook content as an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution. He noted that the book undermines the judiciary’s role in society.
The controversial section appears in a chapter titled The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society. It lists corruption, backlog of cases, and shortage of judges as challenges faced by the judicial system. The book also states that judges are bound by a code of conduct governing their behaviour both inside and outside court.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi also criticised NCERT, questioning the selectivity of highlighting judicial corruption. He argued that while challenges exist in many areas, singling out the judiciary in this manner is problematic.
Chief Justice Kant assured that the matter will be addressed soon, emphasising that both the Bar and Bench are disturbed by the issue. The Court’s intervention signals a serious review of NCERT’s content and its implications for students.
