New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a blanket ban on the reprinting and digital dissemination of the NCERT Class 8 Social Sciences textbook that contained references to “corruption in the judiciary.”
The apex court ordered an immediate seizure of the copies in circulation and called for compliance reports in two weeks.
‘It shall be personal responsibility of NCERT Director and principal of every school where the book has reached to effectuate immediate seizure and sealing of all copies of the book in their premises and submit a compliance report,’ the court said.
The top court ordered to ensure that no instruction is imparted based on the subject book.
‘Principal Secretaries of all states to comply. Compliance to be sent within two weeks. As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the book.’
The court warned that any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic means or altered titles shall be seen as direct interference, wilful breach and defiance of directions.
On Wednesday, the CJI had expressed displeasure over the contents of the book, saying he would not allow anyone to defame the institution. The Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant called it ‘a deep-rooted conspiracy against the judiciary’ .
Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Dr AM Singhvi had raised their concerns about the textbook content before the court, stating that it was scandalising the entire judiciary.
