 Early Times Report
New Delhi, Feb 26: The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a “complete blanket ban” on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of NCERT’s Class 8 social science book as it contains “offending” contents on corruption in the judiciary, saying they have fired a gunshot and the judiciary is “bleeding”.
Observing that there appeared to be a “deep-rooted conspiracy” and “calculated move” to undermine the institution and demean the dignity of judiciary, the apex court directed that all copies of the book – physical and digital – currently in circulation be immediately seized and removed from public access without any delay.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued show cause notices to the NCERT director and the secretary of the department of school education asking them to explain why suitable action, including that of contempt, be not initiated against those found responsible for introducing the “offending” chapter.
“As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the book titled ‘Exploring Society: India and Beyond’ (Vol II),” the bench, which also comprised justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said.
The bench warned that any attempt to circumvent its order through electronic medium or alternative titles containing the same content shall be treated as a direct interference, willful breach and defiance of its directions.
“They have fired a gunshot. The judiciary is bleeding,” a visibly irked CJI said during the hearing in a suo motu matter over the book.
“It is my duty as the head of the institution to find out who is responsible; heads must roll,” the CJI said, adding, “We would like to have a deeper probe.” The bench said it was “nearly shocked” when one of the newspapers published an article regarding release of the social science textbook having the chapter.
It said after media report was published, the apex court’s secretary general was asked to verify whether such a publication was released by NCERT.
“Instead of having an introspection of what had been written in the book in the most reckless, irresponsible, contemptuous and motivated manner, the director (of NCERT) responded in writing defending the contents of the book,” the bench said.
It said on a prima facie examination of the book’s content and read in conjunction with the administrative response received from director, it seemed “there is a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary”.
It said if allowed to go unchecked, it would erode the sanctity of judicial office and the estimation of public at large and more importantly, within the impressionable minds of youth.
The bench observed the narrative contained in book chooses not to dwell into any of the transformative initiatives and measures pioneered by court, including towards streamlining the ease of access to justice, and the substantive contribution made by judiciary towards the preservation of democratic fabric. |
