'Thankful To Media Friends' : CJI Lauds Media For Highlighting NCERT Textbook Issue

During the hearing of the suo motu case over an NCERT book's chapter on judicial corruption, CJI Surya Kant today appreciated media organizations for bringing the issue to the limelight.

The CJI said that if it were not for timely reporting on the matter, the damage to judiciary's reputation could have been completely irreversible.

A bench of CJI Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi heard the matter and imposed a complete, blanket ban on the dissemination of the NCERT book continaing the problematic chapter. The Court also ordered seizure and sealing of the copies of the book already in circulation and issued show-cause notice to Secretary of School Education, Ministry of Education and the NCERT Director, as to why action under the Contempt of Courts Act (or any other law) should not be taken against them.

When a counsel sought a restraining order against the media disclosing offending parts of the book, the CJI said that he had already dictated directions in that regard. At the same time, the CJI noted that media plays a very positive role in ensuring constitutional values.

"Sometimes there are some small channels so-called, they indulge in these [sort of things]...but look at the other aspect. It is a responsible media that has brought in public domain. We are thankful to the friends in media, they have been very...most of the time, in rarest of the rare occasion...as one of the pillar of the democratic values and in ensuring the constitutional values, they play a very vital, constructive and positive role. We again appreciate their timely [...] otherwise damage would have been completely irreversible", he stated.

On a remark by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that mainstream media is always responsible, and it is the online tabloids that cause problems, the CJI responded that sometimes individuals, instead of the institution, are targeted but such things are best ignored.

Last year, speaking at an event, the CJI had said that the protection of rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution requires vigilance and ethical commitment from all sectors, including the media. He also underlined the need for media solidarity and mutual accountability in an era of “unsocial media.” “Mutual support, open dialogue, and a shared vision are our best defences against the perils of unrestricted AI....By holding institutions and individuals accountable and refusing to lower ethical standards, we secure the foundation of true journalism and the health of our democracy", he said.

The CJI further urged media organizations and regulatory bodies to adopt concrete safety protocols to protect women reporters and editors from digital harassment and reputational harm.

Case Title: In Re : Social Science Textbook for Grade-8(Part 2) published by NCERT and ancillary issues | SMW (C) 1/2026