Inclusion of readings on ‘Yoginipura’, believed to be a site in Delhi, and omission of an important article by renowned historian Professor Irfan Habib — even as Delhi University’s Academic Council (AC) passed these changes in a History paper, faculty members issued a dissent note during the meeting Thursday.
The amendments were made in the syllabus of a general elective History paper called ‘Delhi Through the Ages: The Making of its Early Modern History’. In a note, written by elected AC member Professor Maya John and signed by her two colleagues, the dissenting faculty members termed as “disturbing” some changes in the paper.
Apart from these changes, Prof Maya John claimed in various revisions carried out over the years to syllabi through the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in 2016, Learning Outcome-Based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) in 2019, and the National Educational Policy implemented in 2024, the term ‘Purana Qila’ gradually made way for ‘Indraprastha-Hastinapur’.
“In the 2016 version of the paper, the first unit was titled ‘The Environmental Setting; Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sites; Purana Qila: Archaeology and Legend’… when the paper was later revised in 2019 and 2022, there was still discussion about the complex relationship between legends, myths, and history. But in the revised 2024 version of the paper, the title of the first unit shows a change (now titled ‘Delhi’s Ancient Past up to 12th Century’), and instead of Purana Qila, the categorical use of Indraprastha-Hastinapur is inserted.”
She further wrote, “The 2024 revised General Elective paper, ‘Delhi through the Ages: Making of its Early Modern History’… was supposed to be tabled in the July 12, 2024, AC meeting before the first-year classes commenced. However, the paper is being taught in DU without prior approval of statutory bodies, which is a serious procedural lapse.”
Moreover, Yoginipura, another site, finds a place in the first unit in the 2024 version. “Though there are important historical works on the legend of Yoginipura, the site locations related to the legend lack scholastic consensus. In this regard, the inclusion of spurious writings, like Suphal Kumar’s Delhi: City of Yoginis, have been added. Further, while other hagiographic unacademic works by Nilesh Ishwarchand Karkare and Uday S Kulkarni have been included as essential readings, a very important article by the renowned historian, Professor Irfan Habib, has been omitted from even the suggested reading list,” she alleged.
Professor Habib’s article titled ‘Economic History of the Delhi Sultanate – an Essay in Interpretation’ explains the economic background of medieval Delhi. “Such revisions in the paper are not based on academic merit,” John said in the note.
Meanwhile, the AC Thursday also passed the DU’s revised Strategic Plan — a document that lays out plans for the university for the next 25 years, despite previous allegations from several AC members on plagiarism of content from other institutions. The document was discussed in December last year and deferred to an “emergent meeting” of the AC.
“DU’s strategic plan is very important for its role in achieving the dream of Viksit Bharat,” DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh said in an official statement Thursday.
Opposing the Institutional Development Plan (IDP) tabled in the meeting, the DU Teachers’ Association (DUTA) raised critical concerns about the institute’s autonomy. “Any development plan would be meaningful and successful if prepared and executed by involving stakeholders… Therefore, this document is required to be first sent for comments and suggestions to various stakeholders,” DUTA said in a statement.
Among other items passed include the introduction of a certificate course in the Chinese Language, a diploma in the Korean Language, and a diploma course in the Japanese language at Hansraj College; an advanced diploma course in the Chinese Language and an advanced diploma course in the Japanese Language at Ram Lal Anand College.
