Darkest chapter: BJP backs Emergency topic in Class 9 NCERT textbook

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 25, 2026 12:57 IST

The BJP on Thursday backed the NCERT's decision to add a section on the Emergency to a new Class 9 social science textbook, saying the period must be remembered so that it is never repeated. The party called the Emergency a dark chapter in India's constitutional history and accused the Congress of opposing its inclusion.

The section has been introduced, in a first, in the NCERT's newly developed textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond. It describes the Emergency as "one of the major challenges" to democracy in India and says a majority of fundamental rights were suspended during that period.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said June 25, 1975, marked "the darkest chapter" of India's democratic and constitutional journey. He alleged that the Congress attacked every constitutional institution during the Emergency, which was imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi between June 25, 1975 and March 21, 1977.

"The Emergency was imposed out of lust for power by Indira Gandhi and the Congress. Every constitutional body was attacked. Parliament, the legislature, the judiciary and the media were censored and suppressed," he said in a video statement.

"We saw how even the likes of Kishore Kumar had their voice suppressed, and their songs removed from All India Radio. These were the kind of atrocities that were committed."

Poonawalla said fundamental rights were suspended, judicial review was taken away, and constitutional safeguards were dismantled. He said the NCERT's decision to include a chapter on the Emergency would help students understand the period and ensure that such events are not repeated.

"Hence, the NCERT has taken a decision to include a chapter on the Emergency as dangerous to democracy and teach students. Because we must remember and commemorate this dark chapter in India's constitutional history, but we must never ever repeat it," he said.

Targeting the Congress, he alleged that the party still had an "Emergency mindset" and asked why it was opposing the inclusion of the chapter.

"Unfortunately, the Congress imposed the Emergency back in 1975, and they continue to live in the Emergency mindset. They are opposing it, the Congress and their ecosystem. Why are you opposing it? Should you not welcome it? If you are champions of the Constitution and not supporters of its destruction, then you must be the first one to say yes. Let us learn from the mistakes of the past. Because those who don't are condemned to repeat it," he said.

Poonawalla also said leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav had fought against the Emergency, and called it ironic that many parties linked to them are now aligned with the Congress. The BJP's remarks came as the NCERT's new textbook formally brought the Emergency into the Class 9 social science curriculum.

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