Supreme Court Suo Motu Case Over NCERT Text Book : Live Updates From Hearing

CJI: Media, as one of the pillar of democratic values, in ensuring...they play very constructive, positive role. We in a way appreciate their timely...otherwise damage would have been completely irreversible

Hearing over.

CJI: I am getting 100s of calls since last 2 days. Entire country in one voice wanted me to take immediate action. We will seek assistance of some senior members...when records come. We are thankful to friends in media (for raising this issue)

SG: Mainstream media is always responsible. There are virtual platforms tabloids threatening...they deserve to be ignored.

A sr counsel: Apology should be put in public domain

SG: This apology is not an apology, I agree. Will ensure unqualified apology is prepared and published. Individuals concerned will not be associated with any Ministry for...this is the minimum...then whatever your lordships decide, we will bow down.

Order: It shall be personal responsibility of NCERT Director and principal of every school where the book has reached to effectuate immediate seizure and sealing of all copies of the book in their premises and submit a compliance report. Ensure that no instruction is imparted based on the subject book. Principal Secretaries of all states to comply. Compliance to be sent within 2 weeks.

As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the book. Any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic means or altered titles shall be seen as direct interference, willful breach and defiance of directions

Court seeks names of persons responsible for drafting the chapter and records of minutes of meetings.

Order: As of now, we deep it apt. to issue show cause notice to (i) secy, dept. of school education, ministry of education (ii) dr. dinesh prashad saklani, ncert director, to show cause as to why action either under contempt of courts act or any other clauses be not initiated against them or those who are found responsible for introducing the offending chapter. NCERT in coordination with the Union and State Education Depts is directed to ensure that all copies of the book (hard or soft) currently in circulation whether held in storage, retail outlets, or edu institutions, are seized and removed from public access. Compliance be filed.

Order: According to press release of NCERT, Dept of School education has directed that distribution of this book maybe kept on strict hold until further orders. Those directions have been complied with. It is further stated that chapter in the book shall be rewritten in consultation with apt. authority. An apology has also been tendered through this press release. The question as to whether the apology has been tendered genuinely to purge the prima facie contempt, or is merely a ruse to wriggle out of consequences, especially when substantially damage has already been done, are questions we shall consider at apt. stage.

Order: Given the serious consequences, and an everlasting impact on independence and autonomy of judiciary, such a misconduct would fall within the definition of criminal contempt...as it proved to be a deliberate move...it would undoubtedly amount to interfering with administration of justice, besides scandalizing the institution.

Order: it is fundamentally improper to expose them to a biased narrative that may engender permanent misconception at this tender age for purpose of appreciating the manyfold and onerous responsibilities of judiciary. We have to keep in mind that subject book is not confined to the students only. It is bound to travel from teacher to pupil and to parents, the next generation.

Order: Choice of words, expressions in the book may not be a simpliciter inadvertent or bonafide error. We don't propose to initiate these proceedings to stifle any legitimate critic or take to task any individual or organization exercising right to scrutinize institutions like judiciary. We are of firm conviction that dissent and rigorous discourse ...vitality of a living democracy and serve as essential instrument of institutional accountability. Students in their formative years are only beginning to navigate nuances of public life.

Order: The text fails to acknowledge imperative role of judiciary which it undertakes in upholding constitutional morality and basic structure doctrine. It seems to us that the narrative contained in the book chooses not to delve into the transformative initiative and measures of this court in overhauling legal aid mechanism and streamlining access to justice. The silence is particularly egregious given the sheer volume of high ranking officials censured by this court for illicit [syphoning] of public funds, etc.