New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday welcomed the NCERT's decision to introduce a section on the Emergency in a Class 9 social science textbook, saying the period represented a "dark chapter" in India's constitutional history and should be studied to ensure such events are never repeated.

The ruling party also criticised the Congress for opposing the move and accused it of continuing to carry an "Emergency mindset".

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has, for the first time, included a section on the Emergency in its newly developed Class 9 social science textbook, "Understanding Society: India and Beyond". The chapter describes the Emergency as one of the major challenges faced by Indian democracy and notes that fundamental rights were suspended during the period.

Reacting to the development, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said June 25, 1975, marked one of the darkest phases in India's democratic journey.

"The Emergency was imposed out of lust for power by Indira Gandhi and the Congress. Parliament, the judiciary, the media and other constitutional institutions came under attack during that period," he alleged.

Poonawalla claimed that fundamental rights were suspended, judicial review curtailed and democratic safeguards weakened during the Emergency, which remained in force from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, under then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

He said the inclusion of the chapter would help students understand the significance of democratic institutions and constitutional freedoms.

"We must remember this dark chapter in India's constitutional history, but we must never repeat it," he said.

Attacking the Congress, Poonawalla questioned its opposition to the chapter and said those who claim to defend the Constitution should welcome efforts to educate students about the Emergency period.

The BJP leader also referred to the role played by leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav in opposing the Emergency and said their struggle should be remembered.