‘Supreme Court has justified what it has done’: Minister Priyank Kharge on judiciary chapter in NCERT book row

BENGALURU: The political row over an NCERT textbook chapter on judicial corruption escalated on Thursday after the Supreme Court imposed a “complete blanket ban” on the Class 8 NCERT book.

Reacting to the controversy, IT Minister Priyank Kharge said, “While the court has justified what it has done, a little more proactivity from the court would also help. A lot of misinformation is being put in our textbooks, whether it is altered history, mythology being passed off as history, the decline of scientific temperament in society, or the erosion of the social fabric of the country. While the Supreme Court has safeguarded the institution, which is of prime importance because people still have faith in it, I think the Supreme Court should also take action on many other issues, which would help the progress of the country”.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: On the NCERT book with the controversial judiciary chapter row, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, “While the court has justified what it has done, a little more proactivity from the court would also help. A lot of misinformation is being put in our… pic.twitter.com/0R6fFpCpEi

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026

The Supreme Court of India has issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for including a sub-chapter titled “Corruption in the judiciary” in the Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to halt suo motu proceedings despite NCERT’s apology over the controversial inclusion and imposed a blanket ban on the textbook section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass the order would be considered direct interference with the administration of justice and could attract contempt of court.

The Supreme Court has also directed NCERT to submit detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the development team.

“They have fired the gun and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move — the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy,” the CJI said. (ANI)