NCERT asks public to return Class 8 textbook, delete posts, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The NCERT has asked the public to return Class 8 textbooks containing a section on "corruption" in the judiciary, following a Supreme Court ban.
• The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the issue after concerns were raised about the content of the textbook.
• The NCERT has issued an advisory requesting individuals and organizations to return the books to the Publication Division in New Delhi.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed regret and ordered the withdrawal of the textbook.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court registered a suo motu case after identifying a "selective reference" regarding "corruption" in the judiciary within the textbook chapter "Role of Judiciary in Our Society".
• The Supreme Court directed the seizure of distributed copies and requested a compliance report from concerned officials.
• The NCERT apologized for the "inappropriate textual material" and "error in judgement" in the textbook.
• The government officials stated that the direction to withdraw the book was issued on Tuesday, shortly after its release.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi took notice of the issue and called for accountability to be fixed regarding the textbook content.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NCERT: An autonomous organization responsible for advising the government on policies and programs for qualitative improvement in school education.
• Suo Motu: Latin term meaning "on its own motion," referring to a court taking up a case without a formal request from another party.
• Judiciary: The system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state.