NCERT Class IX Textbook to Include Chapter on 1975-77 Emergency: Education Minister’s Justification
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has defended the incorporation of a chapter on the 1975-77 Emergency in the NCERT Class IX social science textbook, stating it is essential for future generations to learn about the “dark deeds” of that era.
During a press conference in Chandigarh, Pradhan emphasized, “… 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…” This statement comes following an exclusive report by TOI announcing the new content in the textbook titled ‘Understanding Society: India and Beyond’.
The chapter illustrates the 1975-77 Emergency as one of the significant challenges faced by Indian democracy. It discusses critical events such as the suspension of fundamental rights, media censorship, and the arrests of opposition leaders during the tenure of the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government.
Clarification on Textbook Content
In a related development, the NCERT has issued a clarification rejecting claims of religious and dietary bias in the Class VI Kannada language textbook, named ‘Krishna’. The council clarified that the title refers to the Krishna river rather than a religious figure, stating, “NCERT has named its language textbooks after rivers of India.” Among the titles, the Hindi textbook is ‘Ganga’, English ‘Kaveri’, Urdu ‘Jamuna’ (Yamuna), and Kannada ‘Krishna’.
Regarding the allegations of promoting vegetarianism, NCERT explained that a balanced diet is addressed in Chapter 6 under the section titled “Balanced Diet” on page 63. They noted that the illustrative image included both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items and emphasized that the chapter connects healthy eating habits with India’s diverse food culture.
Pradhan’s support for teaching about the 1975-77 Emergency echoes a broader intent to inform students about pivotal historical events, thus fostering an informed citizenry that understands the past.
