The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a blanket ban
on class 8 NCERT book carrying a chapter on corruption in the judiciary, and
ordered a seizure of all physical copies, along with takedown of its digital
forms.
The apex court ordered that the Centre and state
authorities comply with its directions immediately, and warned of "serious
action" if directions are defied in any form.
The top court issued show cause notices to NCERT
director, school education secretary to explain why action should be not taken
against those responsible.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said
there seemed to be a calculated move to undermine institution and demean
dignity of judiciary.
"We would like to have a deeper probe,"
the bench said.
The court said that if allowed to go unchecked, this
will erode people's faith in judiciary. "No one will be allowed to go
scot-free." The CJI said, "It is my duty as the head of the
institution to find out who is responsible; heads must roll." CJI
Surya Kant said there appears to be a deep-rooted, well planned conspiracy to
defame the judiciary.
Taking exception to the NCERT's Wednesday
communication, the SC said there was not a single word of apology in it, and
instead, they have tried to justified it.
At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of Ministry of
education.
The bench posted the mater for further hearing on
march 11.