Delhi University Mandates Compliance with Official Syllabi

Delhi University (DU) has instructed college principals to adhere strictly to officially notified syllabi, following controversy over the inclusion of the Manusmriti in a Sanskrit course. A notification issued on August 5, 2023, by the registrar, emphasized the importance of teaching only the syllabi published on the university’s website, highlighting concerns about students being taught unapproved or incorrect courses.

The directive comes shortly after the university withdrew the controversial introduction of Manusmriti as a primary text in the newly proposed Sanskrit course, Dharmashastra Studies. This decision followed a report by the Times of India (TOI), which revealed that the inclusion had sparked significant backlash from both students and faculty. Critics argued that the Manusmriti promotes discriminatory ideas, prompting the administration to act swiftly to address the issue.

Clarification on Syllabus Compliance

The notification from the registrar outlined that several colleges had been offering courses based on outdated or unapproved syllabi, causing unnecessary difficulties for students. The university noted, “All are hereby informed that the students must be offered and taught only the syllabi notified on the website of the university.”

It was further explained that syllabi presented to the Standing Committee or Academic Council might undergo modifications before receiving final approval. Consequently, the university urged all colleges to rely solely on the official syllabi published online to avoid confusion.

This move aims to rectify past lapses in the curriculum’s implementation and ensure that all courses align with the officially sanctioned curriculum. Officials from DU, who requested anonymity, indicated that the issues arise when colleges proceed with earlier versions of syllabi without waiting for the final approved documents to be uploaded online.

Background of the Controversy

The controversy surrounding the Manusmriti began with a proposal to include it in the law and history honours syllabi, which was ultimately withdrawn following widespread criticism. After the TOI report, DU confirmed that the text would be removed from the Sanskrit curriculum entirely. Official sources indicated that the administration was unaware of its inclusion until the media highlighted the issue.

In response to the recent notification, there has been no immediate comment from the DU registrar regarding whether this directive was directly linked to the Manusmriti syllabus controversy. The university has not disclosed any specific measures being implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

This latest step by Delhi University reflects an ongoing commitment to uphold academic integrity and provide students with accurate and approved educational materials. By reinforcing the importance of adhering to officially published syllabi, DU aims to create a more reliable academic environment for all its students.