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DU adds new elective course on Savarkar to BA Pol Science programme, teachers protest

In a recent development, teachers at Delhi University have alleged that a paper on Mahatma Gandhi in the fifth semester of the BA (Hons) political science syllabus has been replaced with a paper on Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar. According to the teachers, the paper on Gandhi will now be taught in the seventh semester, which means that students opting for a three-year graduation course will not study Gandhi.

This decision was made during the Academic Council meeting, but it has faced criticism from some teachers who view it as an attempt to saffronize education and draw comparisons between Gandhi and Savarkar.

The final decision on this matter will be made by the Executive Council, which is the highest decision-making body of Delhi University. However, DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh has not responded to calls seeking comment on the issue.

Alok Pandey, a member of the Academic Council who attended the meeting, expressed his concern over the decision. He stated that previously, a paper on Gandhi was taught in the fifth semester, followed by a paper on Ambedkar in the sixth semester. Now, a paper on Savarkar has been introduced, resulting in the displacement of the Gandhi paper from the fifth semester to the seventh semester. Pandey emphasized that while he has no objection to the inclusion of Savarkar, the decision seems to suggest the removal of the Gandhi paper from the curriculum, particularly for students in the three-year program.

Rajesh Jha, a former member of the Executive Council, opposed the move and argued that students should be exposed to Gandhi in the earlier semesters to foster critical thinking. Jha stated that Gandhi's ideas are inclusive and reflect the collective consciousness of India's freedom struggle, and learning about him earlier would provide a balanced perspective when studying Savarkar.

The syllabus reviewed by PTI reveals that the paper titled 'Understanding Gandhi' was originally part of the fifth semester. The course aimed to familiarize students with Gandhi's social and political thought, with the objective of developing their skills in reading and analyzing texts and placing them in a broader intellectual and socio-historical context. The course focused on themes within Gandhian thought that are considered relevant to contemporary times.

It's important to note that Delhi University has adopted a four-year program in line with the National Education Policy, offering students the choice between a three-year undergraduate degree and a four-year undergraduate program. The university is in the process of preparing syllabi for the four-year programs across various subjects.

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