Supreme Court Revokes Lifetime Ban on Professors Over NCERT Textbook Controversy
SC lifts life ban on 3 professors in NCERT textbook row
The Times Of India
Image: The Times Of India
The Supreme Court of India lifted a lifetime ban on three academics—Prof Michel Danino, Suparna Diwakar, and Alok Prasanna Kumar—imposed due to a controversial NCERT textbook chapter that discussed judicial corruption. The court accepted their explanation that the intention was to highlight systemic issues, not to malign the judiciary.
- 01The Supreme Court initially imposed the ban on March 11, 2023, due to concerns over a chapter in an NCERT textbook for class VIII.
- 02Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that the government will not involve the three academics in future academic exercises related to government institutions.
- 03Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasized that the court's concern was about the content's balance, not the individuals involved.
- 04The NCERT director and school education secretary had previously apologized to the Supreme Court for the 'unforgivable lapse' in the textbook's content.
- 05The government is reviewing other textbooks for similar issues, guided by a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Indu Malhotra.
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On March 11, 2023, the Supreme Court of India imposed a lifetime ban on three academics—Prof Michel Danino, Suparna Diwakar, and Alok Prasanna Kumar—due to a chapter in an NCERT social studies textbook for class VIII that discussed corruption in the judiciary, which the court deemed damaging to its image. However, on Friday, the court lifted the ban after the professors clarified that their aim was to address systemic issues rather than malign the judiciary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government would not allow these academics to participate in any future academic projects related to government institutions. Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the court's concern was focused on the content's balance, stating that while corruption was mentioned, the judiciary's positive contributions were overlooked. The NCERT had previously apologized for this significant oversight and promised preventive measures. The government is also investigating other textbooks for similar concerns, with guidance from a committee led by former Supreme Court judge Indu Malhotra.
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The lifting of the ban allows the professors to continue their academic careers, though they will not be involved in government-related educational projects, impacting their future opportunities.
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