Recently, the syllabi for the fifth semester of BA English Honors have been cast in concrete. The DU’s Oversight Committee (OC) had removed the works of two Dalit authors, – Bama and Sukhirtharani, as well as renowned Bengali author Mahasweta Devi’s short story “Draupadi” from the English syllabus.
Read here | DALIT AUTHORS REMOVED FROM ENGLISH SYLLABUS AT DU
While the National Democratic Teachers’ Front (NDTF), a right-wing teachers’ group backed by the BJP, has said they “fully support” the changes, about 108 permanent English teachers and 15 Academic Council members have given ireful statements. In addition, NDTF has demanded a scan for Leftist ideology in the DU English syllabi so as to remove similar “demeaning” references.
NDTF’S STATEMENT | SCAN FOR LEFTIST IDEOLOGY: DU ENGLISH SYLLABI
“It is an unfortunate fact that a section of teachers in the English Department exploited academic autonomy and freedom in an attempt to denigrate and demonize Hinduism and our ancient civilization, to perpetuate animosity between social castes, to encourage militant Maoism & Naxalism amongst tribals, etc.”.
– NDTF president A K Bhagi & secretary V S Negi
In addition, they commented how Mahashweta Devi’s “Draupadi” was redolent of vulgar descriptions of a tribal woman. Therefore, this is an insidious attempt to demean Hinduism.
The Leftists had spread false propaganda that many Dalit writers have been removed. Moreover, they brought out how false the presumption of HoDs of DU working under the pressure of administration was.
THE IRE OF 108 PERMANENT ENGLISH TEACHERS AND 15 ACADEMIC COUNCIL MEMBERS
In a joint statement, the 108 teachers have brought out that HoD Raj Kumar’s approval of the changes was an act of coercion. Above all, the syllabus for Semester V was not being notified by the administration even 44 days into the semester. (Source: The Indian Express)
“The aim of Leftists had always been to inject the society with the cancer of social and religious conflicts. NDTF AIMS AT resisting their toxic cancerous approach. HENCE, THEY demand from University Administration to scan all syllabuses made by the English Department,” they said.
Go through the new syllabus here.
