The Department of History at Delhi University has formally questioned the functioning of an expert committee appointed by the Vice-Chancellor to review its postgraduate third-semester syllabus. Faculty members have raised objections regarding both the committee's composition and its specific recommendations, including the removal of a paper taught for over a decade on the grounds that it was considered "ideologically loaded."
According to minutes from a Department Council meeting held on September 10, the Head of Department (HoD) Anirudh Deshpande informed faculty that he was not being included in final decision-making processes. Following this, the council expressed "dismay" at the committee's structure and mandated the HoD to raise these concerns with Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh. A formal letter regarding these grievances was sent to the Vice-Chancellor on October 9.
The department has also expressed concern over the status of several Discipline Specific Elective papers for the third semester, noting that nearly half are yet to be notified. These include courses focused on the history of gender, labour, caste, and the Northeast. The faculty has requested an early meeting with the Vice-Chancellor to discuss issues impacting departmental operations.
In response to the concerns, Dr. Ankit Agrawal, a member of the expert committee and an Assistant Professor, rejected the claims of exclusion. He stated that all papers submitted by the History Department underwent discussion and that the HoD participated in all relevant meetings. The university administration has previously defended the review process, with the Dean of Academic Affairs stating the committee was tasked with reviewing courses requiring further examination.
Key facts
- The Department of History held a council meeting on September 10 to discuss the committee's composition.
- An official letter detailing departmental concerns was sent to the Vice-Chancellor on October 9.
- Disputed course topics include papers on the history of caste, gender, labour, and the Northeast.
- Dr. Ankit Agrawal, an expert committee member, stated that the HoD participated in all committee meetings.
- The review process is part of broader syllabus changes under the National Education Policy 2020.
Background
The current tensions follow broader concerns regarding curriculum updates at Delhi University under the National Education Policy 2020. Previous reports noted that several long-standing history papers, such as those concerning the Delhi Sultanate in medieval North India, were absent from the revised postgraduate syllabus.
Source: Indian Express, The Hindu
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