NCERT introduces emergency lesson in class nine; 'divisive politics', says Congress

New Delhi: The new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook -- Understanding Society: India and Beyond -- has a special section on the 1975-77 Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government positing the period as a challenge that tested democracy in the country - a move that has sparked political furore.

The national emergency has so far been confined to the Class XI-XII Social Science curriculum in NCERT books. "NCERT has done the right thing. Future generations should know and understand the dark deeds of the Emergency so that such a situation does not arise again. That is why NCERT brought it to the forefront. NCERT did a good job," education minister Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Chandigarh.

Congress MP KC Venugopal, meanwhile, criticised the move stating that NCERT was indulging in "divisive politics" and undermining Constitutional values.


"One of the major challenges to democracy in India was recorded when an Emergency was imposed in 1975-77. In the early 1970s, public dissatisfaction with the government led by Indira Gandhi was growing. Rising unemployment, inflation, and allegations of misgovernance led to widespread protests," the section reads. "Mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan - a political leader and socialist thinker, popularly known as Lok Nayak - mobilised students and citizens, especially in Bihar and Gujarat. The Emergency was lifted in 1977, and general elections were held, allowing people to express their will through the ballot. The defeat of the ruling government demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy and highlighted the importance of democracy," the book states.