News India Live, Digital Desk: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) has raised a serious issue regarding the image of the judiciary in school books. NCERT Expressing strong objection to the mention of ‘corruption in the judiciary’ in the books of the CJI, the CJI has termed it as a ‘planned attack’ on the institution. He stressed that such things can create distrust in the minds of the young generation towards the most trusted pillar of the country.
The main reason for CJI’s displeasure
Recently during a program the CJI mentioned some excerpts included in the textbooks of NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training).
Negative Portrayal: He said that it is wrong to term the judiciary as corrupt without any concrete data or reference.
Dignity of the Institution: According to the CJI, there may be corruption in individual cases, but portraying the entire institution in this manner is an attack on the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
NCERT’s side: Although NCERT had described these changes as ‘factual’, the CJI has called it a ‘calculated attack’.
Why has this controversy heated up?
The root of the controversy is some changes made in the Political Science books of NCERT.
Quoting old chapters: The books include examples of court delays and corruption.
Confusion: Law experts believe that students are being focused on the shortcomings of the law rather than its nuances.
Demand for improvement: The judiciary has indicated that there is a need to improve the educational material so that it remains fair and balanced.
Judiciary vs Executive?
This is not the first time that there has been disagreement on some issue between the judiciary and the government (under which NCERT works).
College System: Earlier also there was a tussle between the two sides regarding the appointment of judges.
Politicization of Curriculum: One section of experts is seeing this as politicization of education, while the other considers it necessary for the transparency of the system.
What solution did CJI suggest?
The CJI clarified that the judiciary is not against criticism, but criticism should be based on facts. He suggested that:
Students should be taught how the judiciary works.
Isolated cases of corruption should not be shown as failure of the entire system.
Court reforms and historic judgments should also be given equal importance.
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