Education – NCERT Class 8 Textbook Sparks Debate on Judiciary Chapter
Education – The release of the revised Class 8 Social Science textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training has triggered an unexpected debate, with the book briefly disappearing from sale a day after its launch.
Textbook Pulled from Sale After Initial Release
The updated textbook, introduced on Monday, was not available for purchase on Tuesday, including at the NCERT’s own sales office, according to multiple sources familiar with the development. While officials have not issued a formal public statement, insiders indicated that a chapter dealing with issues related to judicial accountability led to concerns.
One source acknowledged that the decision to include detailed commentary on the functioning of the judiciary may have been contentious. Another confirmed that the Sales Division directed the withdrawal of the book from distribution shortly after it had witnessed strong demand on its first day of sale.
The digital edition, which is typically uploaded after the print release, had not yet been made available online at the time of reporting.
Focus on Judicial Conduct and Accountability
A revised chapter titled “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society” expands the discussion beyond the structure of courts and their hierarchy. It examines the ethical responsibilities of judges and the mechanisms in place to ensure transparency within the judicial system.
The chapter outlines the importance of the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, a framework that emphasizes impartiality, integrity and public trust. It explains that judges are required to maintain high standards of behavior, both inside and outside the courtroom, to preserve confidence in the justice system.
The textbook further notes that when these standards are not upheld, internal procedures exist within the judiciary to address complaints and maintain accountability.
Grievance Redress and Impeachment Process Explained
In detailing oversight mechanisms, the book refers to the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) as an established channel through which citizens can file complaints. It states that more than 1,600 grievances related to the judiciary were recorded through this system between 2017 and 2021.
The chapter also explains that in cases involving serious allegations, a judge can be removed through a constitutional process. Parliament has the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings, provided the required majority supports such a motion.
Data on Pending Cases Highlighted
The textbook also presents statistics illustrating the volume of pending cases across courts in India. According to the figures cited, nearly 81,000 cases are awaiting resolution in the Supreme Court, around 62.40 lakh remain pending in high courts, and approximately 4.70 crore cases are pending before district and subordinate courts. The data is intended to help students understand the scale and complexity of the justice delivery system.
Political Reaction and Public Commentary
The chapter drew attention after senior advocate Kapil Sibal commented on social media platform X, questioning why similar focus was not placed on alleged corruption involving politicians, public officials and investigative agencies. His post was widely shared and sparked further discussion about the scope of topics included in school textbooks.
While some observers viewed the chapter as an educational attempt to explain institutional accountability, others privately suggested that the judiciary is a sensitive subject for curriculum material.
Other Revisions in the Textbook
Apart from the judiciary chapter, the book also includes a section titled “India’s Long Road to Independence.” This chapter traces key developments from the 1857 uprising through to 1947. It notes that although Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders of the Indian National Congress opposed the partition of the country, they ultimately accepted it as the only viable path forward at the time.
The text also refers to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, describing it as a deeply troubling episode in British history. It states that the British government has not issued a formal apology for the killing of Sikhs during what was a peaceful gathering.
As discussions continue around the textbook’s content, the episode highlights the broader challenges of balancing educational objectives with institutional sensitivities in public discourse.