Amid the ongoing NCERT Class 8 textbook controversy, CPI Rajya Sabha MP P. Sandosh Kumar said that although the disputed section faced strong criticism and was later banned by the Supreme Court, the issue should not be confined to a single book. He argued that several other textbooks also contain reckless or objectionable material and questioned why those contents are not being examined as well. Speaking to ANI, he described the matter as defamatory and stressed the need for a broader review of educational materials.

The controversy began after the Supreme Court objected to a sub-chapter in the Class 8 Social Science textbook, noting that such content could have serious consequences. The court issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy and NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani, asking why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for including the chapter titled “Corruption in the judiciary.”

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, declined to stop the suo motu proceedings despite NCERT’s apology and imposed a complete ban on the section. The court warned that any attempt to circumvent its order would amount to interference with the administration of justice and could invite contempt proceedings. It also directed NCERT to provide detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that cleared the chapter, including the names and qualifications of its members.