Parasites that spread contempt

The Supreme Court and the public has expressed grave concern over the inclusion of contentious remarks on corruption in the judiciary in a Class 8 Social Science textbook brought out by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant ordered that the distribution of the textbook be stopped until further orders. The court also directed that all copies already distributed be withdrawn. Expressing strong dissatisfaction, the Supreme Court observed that “NCERT has fired the gun” and that “the judiciary is bleeding.” The court further noted that there appeared to be a deep conspiracy to damage the dignity of the judiciary. Reports also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed displeasure over the NCERT action during a Union Cabinet meeting. In any case, the publication of the controversial content has raised serious doubts in the minds of the public.

While banning the book, the Supreme Court directed NCERT to issue an apology. It also asked for the names of those who prepared the lesson and the minutes of the meeting in which the decision was taken. Letters have been sent to the Director of NCERT and the Union School Education Secretary seeking explanations. The court said that if it is proven that there was a deliberate attempt to insult the judiciary, criminal contempt proceedings would be initiated against those responsible. It is difficult to believe that the inclusion of the lesson was a mere mistake by those who selected the topic, prepared the content, reviewed it, and gave final approval for publication. As the court has suspected, if a conspiracy has indeed taken place in this matter, it would reveal the extent of the influence of “destructive parasites” that have infiltrated the administrative system.

So far, there have been two areas in the country where political interference has not been allowed. One is the armed forces, and the other is the judiciary. While the armed forces are linked to national security, the judiciary is connected to public justice and trust. It is true that there have been reports of corruption involving some individuals in the judiciary, and even some judges of higher courts have faced allegations. However, the fact that the lesson focused only on the judiciary, while remaining silent about corruption in politics or misuse of public funds in administration, has strengthened suspicions of a larger conspiracy. At the same time, there is no mention of the role of the judiciary in strengthening democracy. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the defamatory remarks about the judiciary appeared in a lesson prepared for students who are at an age when they are just gaining basic education in public affairs.

Once students develop their own sense of judgment and critical thinking in public matters, there is nothing wrong with discussing the extent and causes of corruption in university-level lessons and similar academic settings. At that age, they are mature enough to have a clear understanding of realities and to form their own opinions on issues. Instead, including remarks that could create disrespect toward the judiciary in the minds of children who are only fourteen or fifteen years old, and that too from the country’s highest educational research institution, is both unusual and raises serious doubts. In any case, the court has made it clear that the issue is not closed. The public hopes that the truth will emerge through a high-level judicial inquiry that may take place at the judicial level itself.