Delhi Universitys Academic Council asks sociology department to revise their syllabus due to too much of Marx

Updated on: Thursday, May 30, 2013

While passing the syllabi of final two courses, Delhi University's Academic Council on Tuesday asked the sociology department to revise their syllabus as some members believed it included "more than necessary number of papers on Marx". The AC asked the department to review the syllabus and incorporate the changes within three months.

"The syllabus appeared biased in content and ideology. There was so much literature on Marx even where it was not required," said Sanjay Kumar, a council member. "We suggested the inclusion of Indian thinkers like Ambedkar."

Other council members, including Rudrashish Chakraborty of Kirori Mal College, maintained that teachers were intent on "brow-beating the head of the sociology department into deleting any liberal progressive values from the syllabus, especially those belonging to the left".

The history syllabus was also passed but, again, with several members registering protest. "There are too many selective readings, as many as 40 in some cases. Also, there are few Hindi medium books," says Kumar.

Ajay Bhagi, another AC member, also objected to the over emphasis of Marxism in the syllabus. "History is a major subject and we were given less time to make an informed choice. Moreover, we found that the syllabus was designed keeping in mind the fourth-year exit. There is a structural flaw as it doesn't cover all relevant topics for a student who would like to exit in the third year," says Bhagi.

"We also asked for the deletion of topic on communalism and ideologies which named institutions like RSS, Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League. Communalism is an important topic but how can an academic institution say these are communal organizations?" asks Bhagi.

There were 10 dissents on the history syllabus — five from a group opposing the four-year programme and others on communalism. In addition, there were six dissents against the "nature of the proceedings". The teachers protested against "vitriolic attack" on Prof Satish Deshpande, sociology HOD, in the council meeting on Monday for incorporating "a reference to the uneasiness and problems faced" while preparing the syllabus.

Delhi Universitys Academic Council asks sociology department to revise their syllabus due to too much of Marx

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