NEW DELHI: Nearly 50 years after the Emergency was imposed in India, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included the topic for the first time in a Class 9 Social Science textbook.
The new textbook, “Understanding Society: India and Beyond,” describes the Emergency as “one of the major challenges” faced by Indian democracy.
The topic has been added in a chapter that discusses the strengths and challenges of democracy in India. An NCERT official confirmed that this is the first time a section on the Emergency has been included in a Class 9 textbook.
The addition comes as India recently completed 50 years since the declaration of the Emergency in 1975. The textbook explains the events that led to the decision and its impact on democratic rights.
On June 25. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has marked the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, describing it as a dark period when Indian democracy was severely undermined. Referring to the day as “Constitution Murder Day,” he said it serves as a reminder to remain committed to safeguarding democracy, the Constitution, and citizens’ rights. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to those who opposed the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975.
