SC objects to NCERT class 8 textbook mentioning ‘corruption in judiciary’

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over references to “corruption in the judiciary” in a newly introduced Class 8 Social Science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), stating that no one would be allowed to “defame or denigrate” the institution.

The issue was raised before a Bench led by CJI Kant after senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi flagged concerns regarding the contents of the revised textbook.

Sibal told the Supreme Court that members of the legal fraternity were “deeply disturbed” by the inclusion of references to corruption in the judiciary in material meant for schoolchildren, calling it “entirely scandalous”.

“We are deeply disturbed as members of this institution to find that children of Class 8 are being taught about corruption in the judiciary. We have a great stake in the institution. We have copies of the book,” Sibal submitted.

Responding to the concerns, CJI Kant said he was already aware of the controversy and had received several communications from members of the judiciary expressing apprehension over the textbook’s contents.

“I can assure all of you that I am fully aware of it,” he said, adding that several High Court judges were also “perturbed” by the matter.

When Sibal urged the court to take suo motu cognisance, the CJI said that proceedings had already been initiated.

“Wait for a day. This is definitely concerning the entire institution. The Bar and the Bench are perturbed. Every stakeholder in the system is really disturbed. I am receiving a lot of calls and messages,” he remarked.

“I will not allow anyone on earth to taint the integrity of the institution and defame the institution. At any cost, I will not permit it. Whosoever high it may be, the law will take its course. I know how to deal with it,” the CJI added.

The controversy centres on a newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook brought out by NCERT, which includes a section under the chapter titled ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society’ discussing challenges faced by the judicial system.

The revised chapter lists “corruption at various levels of the judiciary”, large-scale pendency of cases, shortage of judges, complex legal procedures, and inadequate infrastructure as factors affecting the justice delivery system.

In contrast, the earlier edition primarily focused on explaining the structure, independence and functions of the judiciary, while acknowledging delays in case disposal through the phrase “justice delayed is justice denied”.

The updated textbook also cites approximate figures on case pendency, mentioning around 81,000 matters pending before the Supreme Court, nearly 62.4 lakh cases in High Courts, and about 4.7 crore cases in district and subordinate courts.

On accountability mechanisms, the book states that judges are bound by a code of conduct governing judicial and personal behaviour and refers to institutional complaint procedures, including the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), which reportedly received more than 1,600 complaints between 2017 and 2021.

NCERT has been undertaking extensive textbook revisions in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education.

The revised textbook, released on February 23 in accordance with NEP 2020, also revisits major historical events such as the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the 1946 Direct Action Day, and expands its discussion on the Partition of India.

With IANS inputs