Delhi University (DU) is set to withdraw the proposal to include Hindu religious text Manusmriti and Baburnama, the memoirs of Mughal emperor Babur, in the university’s History curriculum.
DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Tuesday clarified that there was no plan to teach either of the subjects.
The proposal was initiated by the History department’s Joint Committee of Courses on February 19. Opposing the move, several professors wrote to the Vice-Chancellor with some objecting to teaching the texts, while the others stating that the proposal did not contain “critical perspective”.
The Vice-Chancellor said DU is a “progressive university” and that the subjects are not “worth considering”.
“I was told that it was discussed in the departmental meeting. But we do not want to teach the subjects as we are a progressive university, and it is the 21st century,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu.
He also said that Baburnama is the “autobiography of a tyrant” and has “no relevance in this time”.
“DU is designing its study material keeping in mind how we can achieve the resolve of becoming a developed nation by 2047,” Mr. Singh added.
Published – March 05, 2025 01:29 am IST