Delhi University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh has announced the withdrawal of a proposal to include Manusmriti and Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) in the undergraduate History (Honours) syllabus. Singh stated that DU will not allow content that fosters societal divisions, reported the Indian Express.
The proposal, approved by the History Department’s Joint Committee of Courses on February 19, was yet to be cleared by the Academic Council and Executive Council. Singh, using his emergency powers, decided to withdraw it before it could reach the next Academic Council meeting.
Emphasizing DU’s commitment to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Viksit Bharat, Singh asserted, “This is the 21st century, and DU students will not study such backward topics.”
Last year, Manusmriti was suggested as reading in DU’s Law Faculty, sparking protests. Although proponents argued it provided an analytical perspective, Singh had then assured its removal. Similarly, he reiterated that DU will not include divisive content in its curriculum.
