NEW DELHI, June 26 -- A new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook released on Thursday introduced a discussion on the Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi, reigniting a political battle between the BJP and Congress. The new book did not explicitly discuss the Preamble, "secular" or "secularism", concepts previously part of students' introduction to the Constitution in the earlier book, taught from 2006 to 2026. "In June 1975, a National Emergency was imposed on the grounds of internal disturbance. During this period, a majority of Fundamental Rights were suspended, the press was censored, and numerous political leaders and activists were arrested. Democratic institutions came under severe strain, and citizens' freedom was restricted," the book said.P8...