June 26, 2025: A proposal by Delhi University’s (DU) Standing Committee on Academic Matters to drop or revamp several postgraduate Political Science elective courses has stirred controversy, with academics raising concerns about academic freedom and political interference.
The committee, in a meeting held on Tuesday, reviewed various department syllabi and suggested the removal or restructuring of key elective courses. According to Dr. Monami Sinha, a committee member and part of DU’s Academic Council, courses under scrutiny include ‘Pakistan and the World’, ‘China’s Role in the Contemporary World’, ‘Islam and International Relations’, ‘Pakistan: State and Society’, and ‘Religious Nationalism and Political Violence’. These may either be scrapped or significantly revised in upcoming curriculum drafts.
Dr. Sinha cautioned that the removal of these subjects risks “compromising the academic integrity and critical thinking that higher education should promote.” She emphasized that understanding Pakistan and China is essential given their strategic importance to India, and that eliminating such content could weaken students’ global awareness.
The development follows DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh’s earlier call to remove content that involved the “unnecessary glorification of Pakistan,” especially in light of recent national security concerns, such as the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Beyond Political Science, other departments were also impacted. The committee recommended removing a unit in the MA Geography syllabus dealing with internal conflict and religious violence. In the Sociology curriculum, concerns were raised over the exclusive focus on Western theorists, prompting a suggestion to incorporate Indian thinkers and traditional family structures. Additionally, Kath Weston’s reading on same-sex families faced objections due to the current legal status of same-sex marriage in India.
The Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) strongly condemned the changes. Its Secretary, Abha Dev, stated, “Academic autonomy of departments stands eroded. The dumbing down of courses based on belief systems rather than pedagogical principles is deeply worrying. DU’s reputation for academic excellence is at stake.”
Mithuraaj Dhusiya, another elected Academic Council member, questioned the scope of the standing committee’s authority. “While the committee can advise, it cannot unilaterally dictate course content. Universities must encourage critical debate, not shy away from politically sensitive topics,” he said.
The Delhi University administration has yet to issue an official response. Meanwhile, the affected departments will now begin redrafting syllabi, which must pass through formal university approval channels.
This controversy has once again brought to the fore debates over academic freedom, curriculum autonomy, and the intersection of education and ideology in India’s premier universities.