Responding to concerns expressed by members in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Sibal said the government will also examine whether any criminal offence was made out against those who drew or included Ambedkar's cartoon in the textbook.
Members of BSP, SP, RJD, AIADMK and CPI and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) created uproar in both Houses, demanding action against those responsible for the cartoon.
The turmoil led to two adjournments of the Lok Sabha before the final one for the day at around 2.10 PM. The Rajya Sabha also was also adjourned twice till 2.30 PM when Sibal made a statement.
Admitting that cartoon on Ambedkar in the textbook was "objectionable" as were many other such caricatures, he said he had already ordered their removal.
"The content is not appropriate...It is being withdrawn... This morning I called the NCERT Director and told him that there should be no further distribution of the books," Sibal told the Rajya Sabha.
He said "concrete" steps are being taken to ensure that no such thing happens in the future.
Noting that the cartoon was incorporated in the textbook, not by any official of the NCERT, but by a committee of academics, he said they would no more be associated with such work.
Outside Parliament, Sibal told reporters that he was "willing to personally apologise" although "I was not the minister at that time in 2006. I was not involved in the publication of the books." (MORE)
