DU passes motion to oust ‘Saare jahan se achha’ poet Allama Iqbal from political lessons
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New Delhi: With the Academic Council of Delhi University passing a motion, there is an imminent exit for the revolutionary poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal from the lessons, which are part of the political science syllabus. The DU Academic Council claims that the recommended removal aims to incorporate the richness and diversity of Indian political thought.
They added that the matter will now be presented before the university's Executive Council, which will make the final decision.
The Academic Council of Delhi University on Friday passed a motion to remove a chapter on Pakistan's national poet Muhammad Iqbal from the political science syllabus, confirmed members of the statutory body.
Born in 1877 in Sialkot in undivided India, Iqbal wrote the famous song "Saare jahan se achha." He is often credited with giving birth to the idea of Pakistan.
The chapter titled "Modern Indian Political Thought" forms part of the sixth-semester paper for the BA program, according to officials.
Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, welcomed the move.
"Regarding a change in the syllabus of political science, a motion was brought forward. As per the motion, a chapter on Iqbal has been removed from the syllabus," stated an Academic Council member.
A unit on Iqbal titled "Iqbal: Community" was reviewed, which is part of the syllabus, according to PTI.
The course consists of 11 units, aiming to study significant themes through individual thinkers. Other thinkers included in the course are Rammohan Roy, Pandita Ramabai, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhimrao Ambedkar.
"The course has been designed to provide students with a glimpse into the richness and diversity within Indian political thought," mentioned the syllabus. It further added that the course aims to equip students with a critical understanding of modern Indian thought.
"The exploration of ideas on specific themes is intended to trace the historical trajectory of topical debates and reflect upon the diverse possibilities presented in the writings of respective thinkers," the syllabus further stated.
In the meantime, the ABVP expressed its support, stating that "fanatic theological scholar" Iqbal was responsible for India's partition.
"The Delhi University academic council has decided to remove fanatic theological scholar Mohd Iqbal from DU's political science syllabus. Previously, it was included in the BA sixth-semester paper titled 'Modern Indian political thought,'" the ABVP said in a statement.
"Mohammad Iqbal is known as the 'philosophical father of Pakistan.' He played a key role in establishing Jinnah as a leader in the Muslim League. Mohammad Iqbal is equally responsible for India's partition as Mohammad Ali Jinnah," it added.
With PTI inputs
