Yogesh Singh clarifies that there are no plans to teach controversial texts at the university, dismissing their relevance in modern education
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, Yogesh Singh, has firmly ruled out any possibility of including the ancient texts Manusmriti and Babarnama in the university’s history syllabus. His assertion comes in response to reports suggesting that the university might discuss including these works in its upcoming academic and executive council meetings.
“There is no plan to teach subjects like Manusmriti and Babarnama at Delhi University,” Singh said in a clear statement issued on Tuesday. He further clarified that these subjects have neither been considered nor will they be entertained for inclusion in the future.
The controversy arose after the history department’s curriculum committee reportedly approved the inclusion of Manusmriti, a text often associated with caste-based discrimination among Hindus, and Babarnama, the biography of Mughal emperor Babur, in the syllabus. However, the university had not granted formal legal approval at the time.
The Vice Chancellor also expressed his belief that Babarnama, which chronicles the life of Babur, is not relevant to contemporary students. “Babarnama is the biography of a dictator anyway. There is no need to teach it in the current context,” he stated.
Last year, a similar proposal to introduce Manusmriti into the law syllabus faced significant backlash, leading to its withdrawal before being presented to the DU Executive Council for approval. Singh’s statement has once again emphasised the university’s stance on not introducing contentious material into its academic curriculum.
The Vice Chancellor’s statement has sparked mixed reactions among students. Some of them expressed relief, feeling that the university should focus on more relevant academic material rather than controversial texts.
“I think it’s a wise decision,” said Neha Sharma, a history student. “In a diverse country like India, where caste issues are still sensitive, introducing Manusmriti could only create more divisions. It is better to focus on texts that promote unity and inclusivity.”
However, some other students voiced disappointment, arguing that the university should not hesitate to include historical texts, even if they are contentious, to foster critical thinking.
“I disagree with this decision,” said Aamir Khan, a political science student. “Whether we like it or not, these texts are part of our history. Ignoring them won’t make the issues they raise disappear. We need to discuss these texts in an academic setting to understand their impact and relevance today.”
