Campus

Delhi University Under Fire For Tampering With English Syllabus

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: In a controversial move, two Dalit authors have been removed from the English syllabus of Delhi University along with a short story of Sahitya Akademi, Jnanpith and Ramon Magsaysay Award-winning writer Mahasweta Devi.

After the Oversight Committee (OC) of the university took the decisions, the Academic Council (AC) held a meeting on Wednesday where 15 members submitted a note of dissent against the OC and its functioning.

Stating that there had been “maximum vandalism” in LOCF (Learning Outcomes based Curriculum Framework) English syllabus for Semester V, AC members alleged that OC first decided to remove Dalit authors Bama and Sukhartharini, and replaced them with “upper caste” writer Ramabai.

“The Committee as an afterthought suddenly asked the English department to delete the celebrated short story of Mahasweta Devi, ‘Draupadi’ – a story about a tribal woman – without giving any academic logic. This is notwithstanding the fact that ‘Draupadi’ has been taught by the University of Delhi since 1999 owing to its seminal academic value,” AC members wrote.

“Moreover the Committee refused to accept any short story by Mahasweta Devi despite her iconic status globally as a writer and being a winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award, Jnanpith Award and Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India,” they said.

They further complained that these “arbitrary and academic changes” were “imposed without sharing any feedback from the stakeholders either with the syllabus committee of the department or with the Committee of Courses”.

They also contended that the OC continued to “harass” History, Political Science and Sociology departments “while approving their revised LOCF syllabus: that too only for Semester V.”

According to AC member Rajesh Singh, the only authority which can decide on courses is the Committee of Courses, which then has to get approval from Faculties, Standing Committee and AC.

“The OC has no such authority. They also delay notifying the syllabus for each semester, usually 4-7 weeks after the classes begin. We had given them the LOCF syllabus for Semester VI too, but they have still notified it,” Singh said.

OC Chairman MK Pandit defended its decision, saying that there was always dissent, which was part of the process.

“I don’t want to go into specifics, but a certain story has been taught for many years, and if there is revision, that is fine. There’s not just one author… there are many authors who deserve to be taught,” he observed.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

UK PM Rishi Sunak & Wife Akshata Murty Now Richer Than King Charles

New Delhi: The United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have…

May 19, 2024

Setback Again For Baba Ramdev: Patanjali Official, 2 Others Jailed For Failed Quality Test of Soan Papdi

New Delhi: In yet another setback for Patanjali, three persons, including Patanjali Ayurved's assistant manager,…

May 19, 2024

People Of Odisha Need Not Panic As No Cyclone Predicted So Far: Bhubaneswar Met Centre Director

Bhubaneswar: Director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Manorama Mohanty on Sunday made it clear that no…

May 19, 2024

Odisha Elections 2024: Will Lotus Bloom In Aska Lok Sabha Seat?

Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: Having remained a pocket borough of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the…

May 19, 2024

9-Month-Old Jharkhand Baby Sold In Odisha Rescued, 5 Held

Bhubaneswar: A nine-month-old baby, who was allegedly kidnapped from Ranchi in Jharkhand and sold for…

May 19, 2024

Odisha Elections 2024: Ex-Minister Samir Dash Hops To BJP Ahead Of PM Modi’s Puri Roadshow

Bhubaneswar: Shortly after resigning from Biju Janata Dal (BJD) amid Lok Sabha and Assembly polls…

May 19, 2024

Odisha Elections 2024: Naveen Patnaik, Rajnath Singh To Raise Campaign Pitch Today

Bhubaneswar: Amid high-decibel electioneering for the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha, star players…

May 19, 2024

Narendra Modi To Reach Bhubaneswar Today On 2-Day Odisha Visit For BJP Campaign; Check His Itinerary

Bhubaneswar: With electioneering getting further galvanised for the twin polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will…

May 19, 2024