New Delhi: The Delhi University Vice-Chancellor, Yogesh Singh, defended the decision to drop Muhammad Iqbal from the political science syllabus by stating that Iqbal did not believe in what he had written, specifically referring to the popular patriotic song 'Sare Jahan Se Achha'.
Sigh said that it was Iqbal's support for the Muslim League and the Pakistan Movement, as well as his role in propagating the idea of partition and the establishment of Pakistan, that made him unfit for the university's syllabus. He emphasized the need to focus on national heroes and impart lessons to figures like Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and others.
During the 1014th Academic Council meeting, the discussion on the undergraduate course led to the exclusion of Allama Iqbal, also known as Muhammad Iqbal, from the Political Science syllabus.
Vice-Chancellor Singh expressed his bewilderment at why Iqbal's work had been part of the curriculum for the past 75 years. While acknowledging Iqbal's contribution to India through the composition of 'Sare Jahan Se Achha,' Singh claimed that the poet himself did not believe in the ideals expressed in the song.
The vice-chancellor's proposal received unanimous support from the Academic Council. The meeting also saw the passage of the syllabus for the fourth, fifth, and sixth semesters of various courses under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022.
Additionally, the council approved the recommendations of the Standing Committee regarding the BA course proposed by the Department of Philosophy. The approved courses include the "Philosophy of Dr Ambedkar," "Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi," and "Philosophy of Swami Vivekananda." Furthermore, the vice-chancellor urged the Head of the Department of Philosophy to explore the possibility of including Savitribai Phule in the curriculum.
The decision to exclude Muhammad Iqbal from the political science syllabus has ignited a debate on the inclusion and exclusion of historical figures in academic curricula. While some applaud the move as a step towards emphasizing national heroes, others express concerns about the potential erosion of academic freedom and the exclusion of diverse perspectives.