27022026-TT-01.qxd 2/26/2026 11:17 PM Page 1 c m y b 13 ABHISHEK’S 55 POWERS INDIA’S T20 WIN SPORT /thetribunechd CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 146 NO. 57 | 16 PAGES | ~6.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 HIMACHAL PRADESH MERKEL LAUDS MANMOHAN SINGH’S VISION BACK PAGE friday | 27 february 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com They fired gunshot, judiciary bleeding: SC bans NCERT book with graft chapter Orders seizure of all copies| Contempt notice to Edu Secy Satya Prakash Tribune News Service PM Narendra Modi with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem. PTI New Delhi, February 26 Terming the publication of a chapter on corruption in the judiciary in a Class III NCERT social science textbook a “deep-rooted, well-orchestrated conspiracy to malign the judiciary”, the Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a blanket ban on the controversial book and on the publication or circulation of its content. Taking a firm view, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said those responsible "fired the gunshot and the judiciary is bleeding today". A Bench of CJI Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi HEADS MUST ROLL It seems to us that there is a calculated move to undermine the dignity of the judiciary. This is a deeprooted conspiracy… heads must roll. Justice Surya Kant, CJI ❝ ordered the seizure of all physical copies of the first edition social science textbook for Class VIII titled "Exploring Society: India and Beyond" (Vol-II), published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in February 2026. It also ordered the immediate takedown of its digital versions. The Bench, however, clarified that the suo motu proceedings were not meant to stifle any legitimate critique or the right to scrutinise the judiciary. “We are of the firm conviction that rigorous discourse helps the living vitality of the institution,” the CJI said, lauding the role of mainstream media in highlighting the issue and playing a constructive role. The Bench directed NCERT, in coordination with the Union and state education departments, to ensure that all copies of the book, hard or soft, currently in circulation continued on page 10 edit: judicial integrity No intent to insult judiciary: Minister promises action Aksheev Thakur Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 26 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday expressed regret over a chapter on “judicial corruption” in the Class VIII social science book of the NCERT and promised to fix accountability and initiate action against those involved in drafting the controversial portion. He said the government had no intention of disrespecting the judiciary. “We respect the judiciary, and whatever the court has said, we will fully comply with it. I am deeply saddened by what has happened and express my regret over the incident. As soon as this matter came to my notice, I immediately directed the NCERT to take corrective steps and ensure that such an issue does not arise again. There was absolutely no intention to disrespect the judiciary, and the government had no such motive. We are taking this matter seriously, and an inquiry will be conducted,” Pradhan said. Pradhan said in a democratic country like continued on page 10 India, Israel seal special strategic partnership, ink 17 pacts in tech, agri push Hry prof suspended SGPC retires Golden Temple head AjayBanerjee Tribune News Service NewDelhi, February26 India and Israel on Thursday made a push for jointly working on future technologies and expanding upon decades of work in agricultural research while elevating their bilateral relationship to a special strategic partnership. The two countries signed 17 agreements spanning artificial intelligence, agriculture, fin-tech and labour mobility; the latter will allow for 50,000 additional Indian workers to move to Israel over the next five years. Regulated recruit- FIRST ROUND OF INDIA-ISRAEL FTA TALKS ENDS BACK PAGE ment channels have been created across sectors such as retail, logistics, warehousing, food processing, textiles, metals, electronics and hospitality. The announcements resulted from a bilateral meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. On the much-expected expansion of ties in defence technology, a joint statement said, “Both leaders provided a vision and a continued on page 10 for Hitler-PM remark granthi days after he flagged ‘graft’ Bhartesh Singh Thakur Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 26 An associate professor of OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, has been suspended for one semester, from February 1 to July 31, after she allegedly compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Adolf Hitler. The action against associate professor Sarover Zaidi was taken on January 29 after the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) began OP Jindal University acts as matter reaches rights panel hearing a complaint by the father of a student who alleged his son was being “victimised” for praising the Union Government, PM Modi and the Indian Army. BJP MP Naveen Jindal is the founding chancellor of the university and a member of its governing council. continued on page 10 Giani Raghbir failed to submit written evidence, says Dhami Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 26 The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday relieved Golden Temple head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh of his charge, days after he accused the apex gurdwara body and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of indulging in corrupt practices. The decision to retire Giani Raghbir, a former Akal Takht Giani Raghbir Singh Jathedar, was taken at a special meeting of the SGPC executive committee held at its headquarters in Amritsar. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the meeting was convened after Giani Raghbir failed to submit written evidence to substantiate the corruption allegations he levelled while addressing mediapersons in Jalandhar on February 18. Giani Raghbir had alleged that funds from the unauthorised sale of gurdwara land continued on page 10 Prosecution sanction againstChidambaram NEW DELHI: The ED on Thursday said it wants an expeditious trial against Congress’ P Chidambaram in two money laundering cases, Aircel-Maxis deal and INX Media, as it has submitted the required sanction for prosecution against the former Union Finance Minister before a designated court. INSIDE ED grills Anil Ambani for 9 hrs; called again NEW DELHI: The ED on Thursday grilled Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani for more than nine hours during the second round of questioning in connection with an alleged bank fraud-linked money laundering case related to his group company RCOM, officials said. He has been called again for questioning on Friday in a separate case. INSIDE DGCA allows 48-hr free cancellation NEW DELHI: Passengers will now get a 48-hour window to cancel or modify air tickets without any additional charge, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revises refund norms amid judicial scrutiny over delays and opaque airline practices. BACK PAGE PROGRAM DETAILS S. Bhagwant Singh Mann Chief Minister, Punjab th st 27 Feb - 1 March, 2026 Ranjit Avenue Ground, Amritsar c m y b Department of Information and Public Relations, Punjab
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).
