CJI Cracks Down on NCERT Over 'Anti-Judiciary' Textbook Chapter

CJI Calls It Judiciary Conspiracy

The three-judge Bench, chaired by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who referred to it as “a deep-rooted conspiracy against the judiciary”, demanded instant removal of the copies in circulation and demands for compliance reports in two weeks.
The Supreme Court has ordered NCERT, in cooperation with Union and State Departments of Education, to remove all copies of the Class 8 Social Science book from the public domain as soon as possible, including in hard copy and digital. Copy includes the same in retail outlets, schools and online platforms. The court has reiterated that no delay will be tolerated. 

Solicitor General's Firm Apology Vow

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said an absolute and unconditional apology would be announced and the persons who had prepared the chapter would not be associated with any preparation of any chapter or any work in any ministry.
This follows NCERT's apology on Wednesday, which stated that directions to cease the distribution of the book in question “had been complied with”.

NCERT Apology Under Court Scrutiny

The Court concluded that it will scrutinize the public regret expressed by the NCERT if it is real and/or whether it attempts to escape criminal liability.
“We deem it appropriate to issue show cause notice to Dept. of School Education secretary, Dr. Dinesh Prakash Sakhlani (NCERT Director) as to why suitable action under contempt of court act or in accordance with any other provisions of law against them or those found responsible for introducing the offending chapter,” CJI said.

Seize All Copies from Schools, Shops

The Chief Justice said it will be the responsibility of the NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani to have all copies of school-sent copies immediately seized. A report of compliance will be filed with the court.
The court has ruled there should be a ban on the production and distribution of the book. It has cautioned that an attempt to send the textbook — whether in print or electronically — would be regarded as an intentional breach of the court’s order. It’s the stakes that’s much higher because violation could be punishable in court.

No Classroom Use of Offending Chapter

The court has unequivocally ruled that no instruction should be provided based on a physical or digital version of the withdrawn textbook. Put another way, teachers may not take a copy available somewhere else for classroom instruction. It prevents the content from continuing to circulate indirectly.

New Chapter Sparks Judiciary Fury

The updated chapter, ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society’ is more than a brief overview of the organisation of courts and their impact on access and enjoyment of justice; it also explores some of the systemic underpinnings that support the judiciary.
Earlier versions were largely concerned with the organisation and functions of courts. The book noted that judges are bound by a code of conduct which governs their conduct in court but also their conduct outside it and details judicial internal accountability mechanisms.