Congress Urges Supreme Court Probe Into NCERT Textbook Changes Amid Judiciary Row

The Congress party on Friday launched a sharp critique against Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the ongoing controversy surrounding a National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbook, urging the Supreme Court to initiate a comprehensive probe into the revisions of school curricula. The opposition accused the government of using educational materials as tools for polarization and political vendetta, following the apex court's strong rebuke of a Class 8 chapter on judicial corruption. This escalation comes a day after the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on the book, highlighting growing tensions over alleged manipulations in educational content.

The row erupted over a chapter in the NCERT's Class 8 social science textbook that discussed corruption at various levels in the judiciary, including references to past statements by former Chief Justices of India. The content drew ire from the judiciary, with Chief Justice Surya Kant describing it as a "calculated conspiracy" to malign the institution. The court ordered the immediate seizure of all physical and digital copies, emphasizing that no one would be allowed to defame the judiciary. NCERT issued an apology, acknowledging "inappropriate textual material" and committing to revise the content in consultation with authorities for the 2026-27 academic year.

In response, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned the textbook revisions as an "RSS-driven exercise full of mischief and malice," asserting that the rewriting process over the past decade has been disgraceful and dangerous. He supported the Supreme Court's agitation but called for a deeper investigation into how such changes were approved and implemented. The party linked the issue to broader concerns about ideological influences in education, suggesting that the materials have been altered to serve political agendas rather than foster objective learning.

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Prime Minister Modi, addressing the controversy, stated that "someone has to be held accountable," expressing annoyance over the NCERT's handling of the matter. Reports indicate that the government views the episode as a serious lapse, with potential repercussions for those involved in curriculum development. This incident follows previous debates on NCERT revisions, including deletions of historical events like the Gujarat riots and references to Mughal history, which critics argue distort facts to align with nationalist narratives.

The controversy underscores ongoing debates about the autonomy of educational bodies in India, where NCERT plays a pivotal role in shaping national curricula. As calls for accountability grow, the Supreme Court's potential involvement could set precedents for oversight in textbook content. Education experts warn that such disputes risk eroding public trust in institutions, while students and parents face disruptions from sudden bans and revisions. The government has yet to announce specific actions beyond the apology, leaving the path forward uncertain.

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