"Future generations must know Emergency's dark deeds": Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
New Delhi, June 25
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday welcomed the National Council of Educational Research and Training's decision to introduce a section on the Emergency in Class IX textbooks, saying future generations should be aware of the dark deeds of that period to ensure such circumstances do not recur.
Speaking to reporters, Pradhan said,"This is correct. 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..."
The NCERT has, for the first time, introduced the topic in a Class 9 textbook, presenting it as "one of the major challenges," as the majority of fundamental rights were suspended.
The reference appears in the newly developed Social Science textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond, where the Emergency has been included in a chapter examining the strengths and challenges of Indian democracy.
An official at NCERT has confirmed that this is the first time that a section on Emergency has been added in the Class 9th textbook.
The inclusion marks a significant addition to the school curriculum, coming as the country recently observed 50 years since the declaration of the Emergency in 1975.
"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.
"In June 1975, a National Emergency was imposed by the government on the 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. Democratic institutions came under severe strain, and citizens' freedom was restricted," it added.
The book also highlighted the role of Jayaprakash Narayan in the movement against the Emergency.
"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," an excerpt from the book read.
The Emergency section forms part of a broader discussion on challenges facing democratic systems. Alongside the Emergency, the textbook discusses issues such as fake news, misinformation, damaging public property, violation of public rules, poverty, regionalism, social discrimination and gender inequality as challenges to democratic practice.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm a teacher in suburban Delhi, and I welcome this. But I hope the curriculum presents it as a complex historical event, not just a political weapon. My students ask tough questions — about why Indira Gandhi did it, about JP Narayan's role, about what lessons we really learned. Let's teach them to think critically, not just to blame one party. History should educate, not indoctrinate.
Absolute necessary step. I was born after 1977, but my father was arrested during the Emergency for writing a critical article. Censorship, no habeas corpus, forced family planning camps — these are not just 'dark deeds,' they were state-sponsored atrocities. Every Indian should know that power unchecked leads to tyranny. Pradhan ji is right: future generations must know.
As someone who moved to India from the UK five years ago, I find this fascinating. We learn about Churchill and Thatcher in school, but the nuances of authoritarianism in other democracies? Not so much. This is a good move. If India's youth understands how fragile democratic institutions can be, maybe they'll protect them better. Hope other countries follow suit.
It's good that they're teaching about Emergency, but why only in Class 9? This should be in Class 8 or even earlier. Also, I hope the textbook also covers similar dark periods under other governments. One-party dominance has caused issues many times in our history. Selective memory helps no one. Let's be honest and comprehensive. Otherwise it's just political point-scoring.
K Kavya N Finally! I'm 17 We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.