Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, on Wednesday took sharp objection to references to corruption in the judiciary in a Class 8 NCERT textbook. This has opened up a deeper constitutional debate, not merely about school curricula, but about the balance between institutional legitimacy and the right to critique public institutions.
The issue arose after concerns were flagged before the top court regarding passages in a revised NCERT civics textbook that reportedly list corruption, case backlogs, and a shortage of judges as systemic challenges facing the judiciary.
The Chief Justice indicated that the court may examine the matter, stressing that the judiciary cannot be allowed to be defamed in educational material.
The matter arose when Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned before the CJI portions of the social science textbook that allegedly mention corruption in the judiciary while discussing governance and institutional functioning.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that it appeared as though one institution was being singled out, with no mention of corruption among politicians, ministers, or bureaucrats.
Taking serious note, the Chief Justice said the court would not permit any attempt to defame the judiciary.
“I will not allow anyone on earth to defame the judiciary,” the CJI observed in open court, adding that the issue required examination at the institutional level.
The bench indicated that it would examine how such content found its way into a school textbook meant for young students.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the issue, the CJI said he had been receiving numerous calls and messages, including from High Court judges, expressing concern.
Terming it a new flashpoint between the government and the judiciary, the CJI asserted, "Howsoever high it may go, we will take action," adding that the court would not permit any attack on the judicial institution.
It also signalled that the court may seek an explanation from NCERT on the context in which the reference was made, the review process followed before publication, and whether the material was supported by verified information.