The National Council of Educational Research and Training has released a new Class 9 Social Science textbook that includes a dedicated section on the 1975 Emergency.
The book, titled ‘Understanding Society India and Beyond: Part 1’, was released on Thursday. It places the Emergency under the topic ‘Challenges to democratic practices in India’ in a chapter called ‘Democracy’. The text describes how public dissatisfaction with the government led by Indira Gandhi grew in the early 1970s due to unemployment, inflation and allegations of misgovernance.
It states that a National Emergency was imposed in June 1975 on grounds of internal disturbance. During this period, a majority of fundamental rights were suspended, the press was censored, and numerous political leaders and activists were arrested. Mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan mobilised students and citizens, especially in Bihar and Gujarat.
The textbook notes that the defeat of the ruling government in the 1977 general elections demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said NCERT had done the right thing so that future generations understand such events.
The book also mentions the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, explaining its role in updating voter lists and ensuring eligible citizens are included.
