'Controversies were avoidable': Dharmendra Pradhan on UGC rules and NCERT textbook

NEW DELHI: Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the recent controversies over the UGC equity rules and an NCERT textbook carrying a chapter on judicial corruption “avoidable.”

“I accept that they (controversies) were avoidable, especially the way they were presented. The discussion in society on the UGC matter is sub judice and under the Supreme Court’s cognisance, so I cannot comment publicly. But I would like to assure citizens that we do not endorse victimisation against anyone,” Pradhan said at the Times Now Summit on Friday.




He stressed that the government has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that no form of discrimination occurs.

“This (UGC matter) is under the court’s cognisance; as the court frames it, the government will implement the system in line with the Constitution,” he added.

The UGC guidelines, issued in January, triggered protests in some quarters, including within the ruling BJP, which claimed the norms were discriminatory. The Supreme Court later granted an interim stay, observing that they appeared prima facie "vague" and could be misused.

Drafted with what the Centre described as the aim to curb discrimination against SC, ST, and OBC students, the UGC regilations mandated equal opportunity cells, 24/7 helplines, and strict complaint redressal timelines, but faced controversy for allegedly being vague and unfair to general category students, leading to calls for redrafting.

Regarding the NCERT issue, the minister noted that the top court has given some guidance on the matter.

“It has been said that a well-monitored chapter will be added under its supervision, and we are engaged in that work. A committee has also been formed—a three-member committee under the leadership of Justice Indu Malhotra. The court had also asked for the inclusion of Bhopal Law Academy. All this work is ongoing, and the chapter is being prepared. It will be placed before the court and added accordingly,” Pradhan stated.

Earlier this month, the NCERT issued a public apology for including a chapter on judicial corruption in a textbook that had drawn criticism from the Supreme Court, and announced that the entire textbook would be withdrawn.

The Class 8 social science textbook stated that corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and a shortage of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed unhappiness over the chapter on judicial corruption and asked for “accountability to be fixed.”

(With PTI inputs)
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