NCERT Controversy: Education Ministry Orders Removal of Books from Social Media
The Indian government has ordered the removal of a controversial NCERT social science textbook from social media and digital platforms following a Supreme Court directive.
The Indian government's Education Ministry has taken a decisive step regarding a controversial NCERT social science textbook for class 8. Following a Supreme Court ruling to halt the publication and digital dissemination of the book, which contains objectionable content about corruption in the judiciary, the ministry has instructed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry as well as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to cease its circulation on digital platforms and electronic media immediately. This measure comes after the Supreme Court expressed serious concerns about the content, emphasizing that it had already set in motion actions to prevent further harm.
The Supreme Court's order was issued in response to the objectionable material in the textbook that raised significant alarms regarding its implications for the integrity of the educational content provided to students. The court's comments highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, "A bullet has been fired, and the institution is bleeding." Following this, the Education Ministry's correspondence outlined that while physical removals and halting of reprints would be managed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and its associated agencies, the onus of stopping the digital propagation of the material lies with the respective ministries, thereby highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to address the issue.
This controversy not only brings academic integrity into question but also raises broader concerns regarding regulatory measures in educational content. The initiative aims to uphold the standards of education and ensure that school materials align with appropriate values, reflecting a commitment to prevent misinformation and maintain trust in the educational system. As such, further implications may arise concerning the content regulations in educational institutions across the country, signifying a critical turning point in the oversight of educational resources in India.