A Delhi University (DU) panel鈥檚 decision to remove postgraduate Political Science elective courses on Islam, Pakistan, and China has sparked sharp controversy. The proposal has divided faculty members, with some alleging it reflects political bias and threatens academic freedom, while others argue it ensures national relevance and aligns the curriculum with India鈥檚 strategic priorities.
The university鈥檚 Standing Committee on Academic Matters met on Tuesday to review syllabi across departments, as reported by the news agency ANI.
According to Dr. Monami Sinha, a member of the committee and the Academic Council, the Political Science postgraduate syllabus came under 鈥渟ignificant scrutiny.鈥
She said that the courses likely to be removed or replaced include: 鈥楶akistan and the World鈥, 鈥楥hina鈥檚 Role in the Contemporary World鈥, 鈥業slam and International Relations鈥, 鈥楶akistan: State and Society鈥, and 鈥楻eligious Nationalism and Political Violence鈥. These courses will either be dropped entirely or revamped, she noted. The department鈥檚 course committee will draft a new syllabus, which will then go through the university鈥檚 formal approval process.
The Delhi University administration has yet to issue an official response on the matter.
Earlier, DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh had stated that department heads were asked to review syllabi and eliminate content that involved what he termed 鈥渦nnecessary glorification of Pakistan.鈥 His comments followed a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir鈥檚 Pahalgam on April 22.
However, many DU faculty members strongly object to these changes, calling them ideologically motivated. Dr. Monami Sinha argued that omitting such courses compromises the academic integrity and critical thinking that higher education should encourage. 鈥淚t is imperative to study Pakistan in detail, given its central role in India鈥檚 foreign policy. Similarly, removing content on China ignores the reality of its growing global influence,鈥 she said.
Beyond Political Science, several other departments were also affected. The committee reportedly suggested removing Unit 3 of MA Geography (Semester 1), which deals with internal conflict and religious violence, including works by political scientist Paul Brass. In the Social Geography course, the Chair objected to the inclusion of 鈥淒istribution of SC Population,鈥 arguing for reduced emphasis on caste.
In Sociology, the introductory theory paper was criticised for focusing solely on Western theorists like Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. The committee suggested including Indian theorists and traditional family structures. Additionally, Kath Weston鈥檚 reading on same-sex families was challenged, with the Chair arguing it was inappropriate as same-sex marriage is not yet legal in India. A course on vulnerability and disaster management was also reportedly removed.
Condemning these moves, Abha Dev, Secretary of the Democratic Teachers鈥 Front (DTF), said: 鈥淎cademic autonomy of departments stands eroded. The dumbing down of courses based on belief systems rather than pedagogical principles is deeply worrying. DU鈥檚 reputation for academic excellence is at stake.鈥
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Mithuraaj Dhusiya, an elected member of the Academic Council, questioned the standing committee鈥檚 jurisdiction. 鈥淭he standing committee can suggest changes, but it cannot direct departments to drop papers. Universities must foster open, critical debate鈥攏ot suppress uncomfortable questions. Engaging with the 鈥榦ther鈥 is vital for intellectual growth in today鈥檚 complex geopolitical environment,鈥 he stated.
The controversy has reignited debate around academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and ideological interference in higher education.