The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)’s new social science textbook for class IX presents the Emergency (1975-77) imposed during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s rule under a section titled ‘Challenges to Democratic Practices in India’, sparking a war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress. Emergency first appeared in a 12th grade political science textbook in 2007, which is still in use.
In July 2024, the government announced that June 25 would be observed annually as “Samvidhan Hatiya Divas (Constitutional Murder Day)” to commemorate the Emergency.
The section released Thursday in the new ninth-grade textbook notes that democratic institutions have been “under severe pressure, and the freedom of citizens has been restricted” during the emergency. The report adds that this period witnessed “weaknesses and flexibility” in India’s democratic institutions.
The 220-page textbook ‘Understanding Society: India and Beyond Part I’ replaces the old separate books on geography, political science, history and economics. It contains two chapters for each of the four topics. In political science chapters, the book discusses the development of the idea of democracy, its various forms, basic characteristics, and electoral processes.
In the chapter on democracy, the new textbook includes a section on emergencies. “One of the major challenges to democracy in India was recorded when the Emergency was imposed in 1975-77.”
The textbook notes that public discontent against Indira Gandhi’s government in the early 1970s, amid high unemployment, inflation and allegations of mismanagement, led to widespread protests. “In June 1975, a state of national emergency was imposed on the basis of internal unrest. During this period, the majority of fundamental rights were suspended, press censorship was imposed, and many political leaders and activists were arrested. Democratic institutions were under severe pressure, and citizens’ freedom was restricted,” the report states.
“Mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan – political leader and socialist thinker, popularly known as Lok Nayak – have mobilized students and citizens, especially in Bihar and Gujarat.”
The textbook notes that the state of emergency was lifted in 1977, and general elections were held, allowing people to express their will through ballots. “The defeat of the ruling government demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy and highlighted the importance of constitutional guarantees, civil liberties and active citizen participation in protecting democratic values.”
In the chapter “Crisis of Democratic System”, the NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook discusses the state of emergency. It contextualizes the period leading up to an emergency. The Class 12 book cites the judgment of Allahabad High Court judge Jagmohan Lal Sinha that declared Indira Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha invalid on June 12, 1975, and the partial stay of the Supreme Court, which allowed her to remain a member but barred her from participating in the proceedings of the House until her appeal was decided.
The Grade 12 textbook notes that opposition political parties led by Narayan pressed for Indira Gandhi’s resignation and organized a massive demonstration in Delhi’s Ramlila area on June 25, 1975, prompting the government to invoke Article 352 of the Constitution, citing the threat of internal unrest. Article 352 permits the declaration of a state of emergency due to an external threat or the threat of internal unrest.
The grade 12 textbook says that an emergency is usually associated with war, aggression or natural disasters. “But this emergency was imposed due to the perceived threat of internal unrest. The emergency ended as dramatically as it began, leading to the defeat of the Congress in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections.”
Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticized the BJP for including the subject of Emergency in the textbook for class IX. “I have seen that when there is a BJP government, whether in the state or at the Centre, the first thing they do is try to present books, history and literature in their own way. This may be the aim of the BJP government, but I think we have to look forward.” He added that the challenge facing democracy today is unprecedented in the history of independent India
Pilot’s party colleague, Jaivardhan Singh, accused the BJP of playing politics. “BJP is doing politics even in children’s textbooks, with a very narrow mindset. It has ruled Congress for decades, but it has never dealt with the future of children…”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut defended Indira Gandhi, saying she did not violate any political party or abrogate the Constitution. “The state of emergency is not just a subject of study, but it is also stipulated in the constitution. The constitution gives the prime minister the right to impose a state of emergency if chaos spreads in the country. This does not mean disrespecting the constitution.”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress and its ecosystem of falling into the trap of emergency mentality. “They claim to protect the Constitution, but they are its biggest destroyers.”
