The matter of curtailment of the history department of Delhi University (DU) has come to the fore. According to the information, 43 papers were proposed for DU history department, but only 23 papers have been approved. 20 papers have thus been scrapped, leading to protests in the university. Teachers and students have rallied against curriculum cuts and demanded revival of the proposed curriculum for the history department.
Let’s know the whole matter in detail. Know which papers have been dropped from History Department Syllabus. Find out what teachers and students want.
Accused of saffron curriculum, demand to save autonomy
Teachers and students have protested against the reduction in the syllabus of the DU History Department. This cut has been accused of saffronizing the syllabus. Students have alleged arbitrary cuts in the curriculum and demanded protection of academic autonomy.
Papers on caste, gender, tribal history, labor history were removed.
According to the information, the DU history department proposed a total of 43 papers for the study, but the administration approved only 23 papers. The decision to cut the curriculum is alleged to have been taken when the four-year graduation program has started and the number of students has increased. Despite this, the curriculum has been cut, leaving students with fewer options to choose from.
Students allege that there is a shortage of classroom space. Due to overcrowding, students have to sit on the floor to study. According to the students, courses related to caste, gender, tribal history, labor history and medieval Indian history have been specifically removed.
The former head of the department Prof. Prabhu Mohapatra said that preventing teachers from teaching subjects of their expertise is against academic freedom. Delhi University Teacher Prof. Maya John has questioned the process of stopping courses. He said that even the head of the department was not allowed to speak in the academic council meetings. Prof. According to Maya John, a history professor was not included in the so-called expert committee that considered the course.
Prof. Jitendra Meena, Professor of History Department and Member of Academic Council raised the issue of ideological interference in education. He was B.R. Mentions Ambedkar’s book Annihilation of Caste and the writings of Sharmila Rege who researched Jyotirav Phule’s legacy. At the same time, students allege that due to cuts in courses, opportunities to study various aspects of history and critical thinking are being limited.
What are the requirements:
- All 43 proposed papers should be included in the study.
- Deleted papers related to race, gender and labor history should be reinstated.
- Arbitrary cuts in curriculum should be stopped.
- The academic autonomy of the history department should be protected.
- Curriculum setting should be transparent and inclusive and respect teachers’ expertise.
