DU panel clears first-semester syllabi of 4 subjects, sends back rest for revision

Delhi University's oversight committee for courses on Monday passed the syllabi of Political Science, Sociology, History and English for the first semester and referred the curriculum of other semesters back to the respective department.

A row had erupted over the syllabi of these subjects with a right-wing teachers' outfit alleging that the syllabi are "pro-Left".

The syllabi of the four courses were referred back by the Executive Council to the departments.

The departments submitted the revised syllabi to the Oversight Committee which in its meeting on Monday passed the syllabi of first semester, sources said.

It referred the remaining syllabi back to the departments for comprehensive revision and also gave one-month time for departments to seek suggestions from various stakeholders like students and professors, they added.

The sources claimed the committee members also stressed on having more "Indian writings" and expressed concern about inclusion of "controversial and divisive" subject.

Academic council member Dr. Rasal Singh welcomed this decision and said, "The syllabi should be cleansed and Indianised. The syllabi should be free from colonial and communist clutches. Participation of more teachers and other stakeholders including students should be ensured in comprehensive review process and syllabi should be made inclusive, academic and non-propagandist."