For the first time in almost 51 years, NCERT has included a detailed chapter on the Emergency of 1975-77 in its Class 9 Social Science textbook. In this new book named *Understanding Society: India and Beyond*, Emergency has been described as one of the biggest challenges for Indian democracy.
According to the book, in the early 1970s, rising unemployment, inflation and dissatisfaction with the government led to massive protests across the country. During this period, major movements started under the leadership of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. On June 25, 1975, the government led by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed emergency in the country.
What is included in the book?
The NCERT book states that during the Emergency, most fundamental rights were suspended, press censorship was imposed and many opposition leaders and activists were arrested. It also states that during this period the institutions and civil liberties of Indian democracy were tested. In this chapter, the political background of the Emergency, Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement, its impact on democracy and the restoration of democracy after the general elections of 1977 have been discussed. According to NCERT, this is the first time that emergency has been included in such detail in the Class 9 syllabus.
A big challenge for independent India: Pilot
Commenting on the inclusion of Emergency in the NCERT Class 9 textbook, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said whenever BJP is in power – be it at the Center or in a state – it tries to present history as per its liking. He said that the challenges facing democracy today are unprecedented in the history of independent India. He emphasized how social media, mainstream media, judiciary, bureaucracy and the Election Commission are being used to suppress voices, and said this is the first time a government has misused these institutions in this manner.