Nearly five decades after the Emergency declaration in India, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included the Emergency period in a Class 9 Social Science textbook for the first time. The textbook, ‘Understanding Society: India and Beyond’, portrays the Emergency as a significant challenge to India’s democratic system. This marks the initial instance of the Emergency being covered in a Class 9 textbook, according to NCERT officials.
The chapter in the textbook not only discusses the Emergency but also delves into the achievements and challenges of democracy in India. It coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed in 1975. The chapter outlines the events leading to the Emergency declaration and its impact on democratic institutions and civil liberties.
The textbook explains that public dissatisfaction with the government in the early 1970s, due to rising unemployment, high inflation, and governance concerns, led to widespread protests and political unrest across the country. The declaration of a National Emergency in June 1975, citing internal disturbance, resulted in curtailed constitutional freedoms, press censorship, and detention of opposition leaders and activists for 21 months.
Additionally, the chapter highlights the role of Jayaprakash Narayan, also known as Lok Nayak, in mobilizing opposition to the Emergency. His movements united students, youth groups, and citizens, particularly in Bihar and Gujarat, creating a broad campaign for democratic reforms. The Emergency was lifted in 1977 after which general elections were held, showcasing the resilience of India’s democratic framework.
The revised textbook not only covers the Emergency but also addresses contemporary challenges to democracy like misinformation, fake news, poverty, regional disparities, social biases, and gender inequality. It aims to help students comprehend the intricacies of democratic governance in today’s society. A new section, “Democracy and You,” has been added to prompt students to engage with democratic values and understand their roles as active citizens.
The textbook also emphasizes India’s democratic institutions, the media’s role as the “fourth pillar of democracy,” voter participation, polling systems, and grassroots democracy through examples of panchayats. It includes sections on women’s voting rights and reservations in local bodies.
