The Academic Council of Delhi University made a significant decision on May 26, 2023, Friday, as it voted in favor of removing a chapter dedicated to Muhammad Iqbal, also known as Allama Iqbal, from the political science syllabus.

Allama Iqbal is a renowned figure, and he hailed as Pakistan's national poet. He was born in 1877 in Sialkot, undivided India. His notable contribution includes the composition of the famous song "Saare jahan se achha" and the shaping of the "idea of Pakistan."

The chapter in question, titled "Modern Indian Political Thought," is an integral part of the sixth-semester paper for the BA programme.

Officials have stated that the matter will now be forwarded to the university's Executive Council, which will have the final authority to decide whether to implement this change.

The decision has garnered attention and reaction from various quarters.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), an organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), expressed support for the removal of the Allama Iqbal chapter.

According to an Academic Council member, the motion aimed at altering the syllabus was successful, leading to the elimination of the chapter on Iqbal.

A specific unit within the syllabus, titled "Iqbal: Community," was subjected to review by the news agency PTI, reported NDTV.

The overall course comprises eleven units that delve into important themes through the lens of individual thinkers, including Rammohan Roy, Pandita Ramabai, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhimrao Ambedkar.

The syllabus explicitly mentions that its purpose is to provide students with insights into the richness and diversity within Indian political thought.

It seeks to equip students with a critical understanding of modern Indian thought, highlighting the historical trajectory of topical debates and reflecting upon the diverse possibilities expressed in the writings of these renowned thinkers.

On the other hand, the ABVP has embraced this development, stating that the removal of "fanatic theological scholar" Iqbal from Delhi University's political science syllabus was long overdue.

They hold Iqbal partially responsible for India's partition and consider him instrumental in establishing Muhammad Ali Jinnah as a leader in the Muslim League.

"Delhi University's academic council has decided to scrap fanatic theological scholar Mohd Iqbal from DU's political science syllabus. It was previously included in BA's sixth-semester paper titled 'Modern Indian political thought.' Mohammad Iqbal is called the 'philosophical father of Pakistan.' He was the key player in establishing Jinnah as a leader in the Muslim League. Mohammad Iqbal is as responsible for India's partition as Mohammad Ali Jinnah is," states a statement by ABVP.

Delhi University's decision to remove the chapter on Allama Iqbal from the political science syllabus has triggered debates and reactions surrounding the implications of this exclusion on academic curriculum and historical perspectives.

ALSO READ | Education For Educators: Basics For An Aspiring Teacher