NEW DELHI: With a new government at the Centre, the DU has moved in to erase the offensive references to the RSS, Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League contained in the BA History syllabus.
The existing three-year semester-based BA History syllabus, which has a chapter titled ‘Communalism: Ideologies and Practices-- RSS, Hindu Mahasabha, Muslim League’, had invited criticism. In a letter dated July 4, the DU Assistant Registrar said the varsity had received a representation from 18 members of the Academic Council, Head of Departments and Deans of the Faculties requesting the V-C to delete the objectionable references. Even though, the letter suggested that the Academic Council had resolved to delete the references, apparently no follow-up action was taken. According to the missive, the appeal by the distinguished members has been made respecting the sentiments and decisions of last May’s Academic Council meeting. It has now been proposed that the topic should be limited to ‘Communalism: Ideologies and Practices’. “Since the new academic year is scheduled to commence on July 21 and meetings of the AC/EC have not yet been fixed, the above proposal is submitted for consideration of the V-C in exercise of the powers vested in him under statute 11 (G) (4) of the statutes of the university,” the Assistant Registrar’s letter added.