Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep regret over a controversial chapter in a Class 8 social science textbook published by NCERT. During his visit to Jamshedpur, he announced the immediate withdrawal of all printed copies, emphasizing the seriousness with which the government views the issue. Pradhan highlighted the judiciary’s importance in Indian democracy and stated that maintaining its dignity is a top priority.
As the issue came to light, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was directed to recall all printed copies without delay. Pradhan mentioned that a detailed inquiry has been initiated to investigate the nature and extent of the error. He also emphasized that any negligence found will face appropriate legal action.
The Education Minister assured that measures would be taken to strengthen pre-publication review and editorial processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. Additionally, NCERT publicly expressed regret over the matter. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has taken serious note of the controversy, objecting to references to corruption in the judiciary in the textbook. The apex court issued a show-cause notice to the Secretary of School Education and the Director of NCERT, questioning potential actions under the Contempt of Court Act or other relevant laws.
