Supreme Court expresses displeasure over NCERT's 'rewritten' chapter on judiciary, orders expert committee
The Supreme Court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the NCERT Director's "laconic" affidavit regarding a "rewritten" Class 8 social science chapter on "corruption in judiciary." The court had previously banned the textbook due to concerns about creating bias against the judiciary in impressionable minds. The Bench questioned the expertise and process behind the revision and directed the government to form an expert committee, including a former senior judge, an eminent academic, and a legal practitioner, to approve any revised chapter before publication. The court also clarified that legitimate criticism of the judiciary is acceptable but condemned "mischief mongers" on social media.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court criticized NCERT's handling of a "rewritten" Class 8 social science chapter on "corruption in judiciary."
- The court had previously banned the textbook, citing concerns about creating bias against the judiciary among students.
- An expert committee, including a former senior judge, academic, and legal practitioner, must approve any revised chapter before publication.
- The court emphasized that the judiciary is open to objective and legitimate criticism but condemned irresponsible social media reactions.
- The court also suggested revisiting the constitution of the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC).
Exam Facts
- Textbook: Class 8 social science.
- Issue: Chapter on "corruption in judiciary."
- NCERT Director: Dinesh Prasad Saklani.
- Judges: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
- Committee composition: Former senior judge, eminent academic, renowned legal practitioner.
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