SC says people have a right to criticise its judgments

The Supreme Court connected Friday (March 20, 2026) disposed of a writ petition that had raised concerns implicit an earlier variation of the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook, which was criticised for its remark connected Supreme Court judgments, particularly a verdict connected slum dwellers.

Noting that orders had already been passed successful a suo motu lawsuit connected the NCERT textbook row, Chief Justice Kant remarked orally that radical person a close to their opinions astir the apex tribunal judgments.

The Chief Justice besides pointed retired that the textbook variation successful question had besides balanced disapproval by highlighting meaningful interventions made by the apex tribunal successful the past.

The petition, filed by Pankaj Pushkar, had brought to attraction a remark successful the publication astir “recent judgments tending to presumption “the slum dweller arsenic an encroacher successful the city”.

“It is simply a viewpoint astir a judgment. That’s a steadfast criticism. Why should the judiciary beryllium oversensitive astir this?” the CJI asked the petitioner’s counsel.

The CJI said the contents besides elaborate the operation of the judiciary, its functioning, its achievements, etc.

“Then it says determination are besides tribunal judgments that radical judge enactment against the champion interests of communal persons...This is simply a viewpoint astir a judgment. People person a close to criticise our judgments,” the Bench said.