PM Modi angry over chapter on ‘corruption in Judiciary’, questions what is being taught to Class 8 students

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The inclusion of a chapter on “corruption in the judiciary” in a middle school textbook has triggered concern within the central government. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised objections during a recent Cabinet meeting and questioned the appropriateness of the content.

It is reported that the Prime Minister asked in what context such a sensitive topic was being introduced to Class 8 students and what its educational purpose was. He also sought clarity on the level at which the material was reviewed and approved.

Questions raised over approval process

Sources indicate that concerns were also expressed regarding the mechanism for reviewing and approving school textbooks. The view was that content designed for young students must maintain balance and be age-appropriate.

The controversial chapter reportedly mentioned issues such as the backlog of cases, shortage of judges, and corruption in the judiciary. It also noted that judges are governed by a code of conduct that regulates their behavior both inside and outside the courtroom.

Supreme Court intervenes

The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and begun hearings. The court clarified that its intention is not to curb legitimate criticism but to examine how the subject has been presented to students.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta conveyed an unconditional apology on behalf of the Education Ministry. However, the court observed that the communication submitted did not clearly reflect an apology. It stated that exposing students of this age to biased or unbalanced content may lead to misconceptions. The next hearing has been scheduled for March 11.

NCERT halts distribution

Meanwhile, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has removed the concerned book from its website and temporarily halted its distribution.

In a statement, the council said it respects the judiciary and recognizes it as a guardian of the Constitution. The issue has been described as an inadvertent error, and the matter is currently under review and judicial consideration. It remains to be seen whether the chapter will be revised or removed entirely.