A group of over 50 academicians and scholars has written to Droupadi Murmu, urging her to intervene in the ongoing controversy surrounding the ban on an NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook. The appeal comes amid growing concerns that the decision could have far-reaching implications for academic freedom and India’s education system.
The scholars have described the move as a matter of national importance, calling for immediate attention to protect the autonomy of educational institutions and curriculum development processes.
Background: Why Was the NCERT Textbook Banned?
The controversy centres around a Class 8 textbook titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond”, developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
The Supreme Court of India had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of a chapter discussing the judiciary and labelled certain portions as “offending”. Following this, the Court ordered a complete ban on the textbook and initiated action against members involved in its development.
The move has triggered a nationwide debate on the limits of judicial intervention in academic content.
Key Concerns Raised by Academicians
In their letter, the signatories raised several serious concerns:
- The ban amounts to “judicial overreach” into academic matters
- It restricts the ability of educators to critically examine institutions like the judiciary
- It may stifle open debate and intellectual inquiry in classrooms
- It sets a precedent that could impact future curriculum decisions
They argued that education should remain a domain guided by experts, educators, and academic bodies, rather than judicial directives.
Concerns Over Punitive Action Against Authors
Another major issue highlighted in the letter is the action taken against members of the textbook development team.
Following the court’s order, certain contributors faced punitive measures, including disassociation from academic work linked to public institutions.
The academicians described these actions as excessive and warned that such steps could create a climate of fear among educators and researchers, discouraging independent academic work.
Call for Academic Autonomy Under NEP 2020
The signatories emphasised that decisions regarding curriculum and pedagogy should align with frameworks like:
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023
They stressed that these frameworks promote critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, and civic awareness, all of which could be undermined if academic content is subject to external restrictions.
What the Academicians Are Demanding
In their appeal, the scholars have urged the President to:
- Direct authorities to reconsider or lift the textbook ban
- Allow publication of the book after removing disputed sections
- Revoke punitive actions against the contributors
- Ensure greater academic representation in review processes
They maintain that the textbook was intended to encourage critical thinking and informed citizenship among students, not to undermine institutions.
