‘Calculated Measure’: CJI Slams Class 8 NCERT Book Over ‘Corruption In Judiciary’ Reference

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday strongly criticised the reference to “judicial corruption” in Class 8 NCERT textbook and termed the move as a “calculated and deep-rooted” attack on the judiciary.

Stating that he won’t allow anyone to defame the institution, the CJI said, “I know how to deal with it. It seems to be a calculated measure.”

The CJI further took a suo motu cognisance of the issue and said he had been receiving numerous calls and messages, including from High Court judges, expressing concern.

CJI Kant’s statement came after Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishesh Singhvi mentioned the matter before him.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the court that the inclusion of “judicial corruption” in school textbooks is “very disturbing”. Adding to this, Abhishek Singhvi argued that it appeared as though one institution was being singled out, with no mention of corruption among politicians, ministers or bureaucrats.

“We are deeply disturbed as the members of this institution to find that the children of Class 8 students are being taught about corruption in the judiciary. It is part of the NCERT. It is entirely scandalous. We have the copies of the book,” Sibal said in court.

Responding to the concerns, the CJI asserted that he is aware of the matter and will take action. He added that the court would not permit any attack on the judicial institution.

“Wait for a day. This is definitely concerning the entire institution. The bar and the bench are perturbed. Every stakeholder in the system is really perturbed, I am receiving lot of calls and messages. There are judges of High Courts who are perturbed,” CJI Kant said, adding, “Whosoever high it may be, the law will take its course. I know how to deal with it.”

‘It seems to be a very calculated and deep-rooted measure to…we don’t want to say anything more…I am aware and I have done my duty,” the CJI added.