Supreme Court's Ban on NCERT Textbook Sparks Debate on Judicial Censorship
In Focus Podcast | Was the SC’s move to ‘ban’ the NCERT textbook an instance of judicial censorship?
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, imposed a complete ban on a Class 8 Social Science textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), citing its portrayal of the judiciary as biased. The court's decision has raised questions about judicial censorship and the role of educational materials in shaping young minds.
- 01The Supreme Court banned an NCERT textbook for allegedly portraying the judiciary negatively.
- 02The court emphasized the need to protect young minds from biased narratives.
- 03Justice Abhay S. Oka discussed the implications of the ban on free speech.
- 04The court has scheduled further hearings on the matter for March 11, 2026.
- 05School principals are held personally responsible for removing the banned textbook.
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The Supreme Court of India, under Chief Justice Surya Kant, took significant action against the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) by imposing a complete ban on a Class 8 Social Science textbook. The court criticized the textbook for depicting the judiciary as corrupt, claiming it aimed to instill bias in young students. This decision, made on February 26, has sparked a debate on judicial censorship, as the court noted that free speech can only be limited by law under Article 19(2) of the Constitution. The court plans to continue hearings on this issue, with the next session scheduled for March 11, 2026. Additionally, the court's ruling places personal responsibility on school principals to ensure the removal of the textbook from circulation, raising questions about the balance between educational content and judicial oversight.
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The ban on the textbook may influence how educational content is curated in India, affecting what students learn about the judiciary.
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