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Divided Opinion on Karl Marx: Another Debate at Delhi University Over Syllabus

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Professors express concern over modifications to the economics curriculum, while the VC claims that it is an attempt to provide students with more options.

Following controversies over removing a chapter on Muhammad Iqbal and adding Savarkar in the syllabus for Political Science students, the University made another move that has sparked criticism. The changes made to the economics syllabus for undergrad students at Delhi University have not been accepted by many, and members of the University’s Academic Council have expressed their concerns.

The two elective papers that caused this debate are Economy, State, and Society and Production Relations and Globalization. These papers contain sections on Karl Marx which the members felt were identical. One of the Academic Council members, Monami Sinha, highlighted that these works are not similar and that Karl Marx is an integral part of the subject. Marx made one of the most significant contributions to the field with his theories that led to the formation of Marxism, although he, like many others, defined production relations, which are explored in the papers cited above.

Furthermore, Sinha claims that this should be viewed from the perspective of an academician and that one cannot and should not remove parts from the curriculum just because they do not align with their ideologies.

“Even if one wants to criticise the theory, it should be taught to students first. The VC has now constituted a committee where this will be revisited. It was suggested that we teach other models as well, which we are already doing” states Monami Sinha.

Yogesh Singh, the Vice-Chancellor of DU, also spoke during the discussion and clarified the situation. He claims that the University should be a platform that provides students with a variety of options and that they are in the process of incorporating other US and European models to broaden the base. He notes that the Core papers contain features of Karl Marx that are already being taught and that there are no changes to that. The goal was to provide students with more options through elective papers.

The committee has previously approved elective papers on Karl Marx and is attempting to introduce new models for students that would include Ambedkar and Gandhi’s economic ideas.

It appears from these statements that the University aims to extend the learning matter for students and that their preferences will be prioritised.

These curriculum changes made for the four-year degrees under the New Education Policy have been strongly discussed among academic circles in recent days. VD Savarkar’s ideals will be taught before Gandhi’s in Semester V, while Gandhi’s will be taught in Semester VII. This would imply that students pursuing a three-year degree curriculum would be unable to study Gandhi.

According to a recent declaration from the VC, this approach has been reversed, implying that the paper on Gandhi will be taught in the fourth semester, followed by Ambedkar and Savarkar in the next two.

With these recent developments, professors and students have continued to express their ideas and concerns about the overall shift and how it may effect students’ learning.

 

Read also: Gandhi Replaced With Savarkar In BA Syllabus Row Erupts In DU 

Image credits: Mint, Google images

Priya Agrawal

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Gandhi Replaced with Savarkar in BA Syllabus; Row Erupts in DU

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Currently preparing the syllabi for four-year programmes for several subjects under the National Education Policy, Delhi University has replaced a paper on Mahatma Gandhi in semester V of BA (Hons) Political Science with one on Hindutva ideologue, VD Savarkar leading to a lot of discontent among academic circles.

The National Education Policy introduced the concept of a four-year degree course of eight semesters following which, the University is now currently devising a formal syllabus for all subjects. What caused great discontent among the academic circle, was the replacement of Gandhi with Savarkar in the BA Political Science (Hons) curriculum. The ideologies of VD Savarkar will now be taught in semester V while Mahatma Gandhi has been shifted to semester VII, allege several DU teachers, adding that this would mean students opting for a three-year graduation course instead of a four-year programme will not study Gandhi.

The motion in this regard was passed at the Academic Council meeting on Friday, May 26, inviting heavy dissatisfaction among a section of teachers, who deemed it as a ‘saffronisation’ of education and an ‘attempt to compare Gandhi and Savarkar’. The final call in this matter will be taken by the Executive Council, the highest decision-making body in DU.

Previously, the curriculum included a paper on Gandhi in semester V and Ambedkar in semester VI. However, the council also decided to introduce Savarkar in the syllabus, under the National Education Policy. Academic Council member, Alok Pandey commented that the proposal to teach Savarkar in semester V at the ‘cost’ of Gandhi was disagreed upon in the standing committee meeting, where it was decided to teach Gandhi in semester V, Savarkar in VI and Ambedkar in VII, as per their age chronology. However, the resolution was brought to the Academic Council meeting despite the disagreement.

Opposing the move, Rajesh Jha, a former Executive Council member said that students should be exposed to Gandhi in initial semesters to develop ‘critical thinking’ as Gandhian ideas are ‘inclusive’ and ‘reflect the collective consciousness of our freedom struggle’. He also adds that Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy ‘stands for good politics as well as good individuals’ and hence, teaching Gandhi before Savarkar would have prepared students to understand the latter’s thought in a ‘broader and more balanced perspective.’

As per the PTI review, ‘Understanding Gandhi’ was previously a paper in semester V which aimed to acquaint students with the social and political thoughts of the Mahatma. The course objective mentions that the themes in Gandhian thought that are chosen for close reading are ‘particularly relevant to our times.’

While all these issues have been burning, the Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh refused several PTI calls to comment on the matter.

Several such major shifts have been observed in the syllabus of other courses as well, as the University gradually revamps its educational curriculum according to the National Education Policy, leading to growing discontent among teachers and students alike.

 

Read Also: DU Standing Committee Proposes to Drop History Elective Course on Caste and Gender

Featured Image Credits: DU Updates (Google Images)

 

Priyanka Mukherjee

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St. Stephen’s College at War Again With DU; HC Defers St. Stephen’s Plea over Minority Admissions

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St. Stephen’s College and the University are battling again on the prospectus of admission procedure for minority students. The Delhi High Court deferred St. Stephen’s plea against the university’s notification for securing admissions solely based on CUET scores, including minority students.

On 24 May 2023, the Delhi High Court deferred St. Stephen’s College and Jesus and Mary College’s (JMC) plea insisting against Delhi University’s (DU) notification to conduct the admissions solely based on the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) test scores. The petition has been deferred to 23 August 2023, with the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Yogesh Singh stating that the admission process will go forward based on the notification issued by the University with the CUET being the sole criteria for admissions.

They can go ahead with the admission, but the university will not recognise the admission

-the Vice Chancellor said while asked about the admission prospectus of St. Stephen’s where 50% of the seats are guaranteed for minority students based on an 85% weightage to CUET and a 15% weightage to the interviews.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma was also listed for hearing on the same date when JMC filed for a similar petition. A woman named Sharon Ann George also filed a petition against the conduction of interviews for minority students for admission in addition to the interviews.

All three matters we cannot touch. There is an SLP (special leave petition). We will not touch it. The matter is pending before the apex court

-commented the bench, also comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad.

 The court stated that the parties can approach the top court to redress their grievances.

It has been brought to the notice of the court that against the judgement (in cases about admission to St Stephen’s College), an SLP has been filed in the apex court. In light of the SLP, hearing of cases is deferred

-stated the court.

In the academic year of 2022-23, the university and St. Stephen’s were involved in a legal case where St. Stephen’s insisted on conducting interviews of 15% weightage for all students rather than only the minority students. However, the university permitted them to only conduct interviews for 50% of the minority students.

The high court ruled in favour of the university and issued a fresh admission prospectus instructing the colleges to admit students based on 100% CUET scores. St. Stephen’s filed a separate appeal before the Supreme Court contending that as a minority educational institution, its right to conduct the admission process can not be disrupted in any way.

The impugned decision of the University denying the petitioner College its right to conduct interviews for admission to undergraduate courses in the minority category is contrary to the judgment of this Hon’ble Court dt. 12.09.2022 in W.P. (C) No. 8814/2022 in St. Stephen’s College Vs University of Delhi which recognized the Petitioner’s right to select students of minority category by conducting interviews–the petition stated.

The petition was subsequently rejected. The apex court also directed all colleges to secure admissions for the general category based on CUET scores only. The college later conducted interviews carrying a weightage of 15% only for Christian students.

For the academic year 2023-24, the admissions will be secured solely based on CUET scores. Owing to this, the university stated that one college out of the 62 colleges can not conduct a separate admission process and a uniform procedure needs to be implemented across all colleges and student categories.

For Christian minority candidates, the college will adopt the marks secured in the CUET with 85% weightage and the college’s interview for shortlisted candidates with a weightage of 15%. This is as per and by the judgement of the division bench of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court dated 12.09.2022. The Christian minority applicant must register on St. Stephen’s College’s admissions portal as and when the registration form is ready

-stated the prospectus issued by St. Stephen’s for the conduction of the academic year 2023-24 admissions.

For the general category candidates, admission will be solely based on CUET scores. JMC is yet to take a stance on how it will proceed with the admission process.

 

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

 

Sri Sidhvi Dindi

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DU passes motion to drop chapter on “Saare Jahan Se Achha” poet Muhammad Iqbal

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In a recent move, Delhi University’s Academic Council has decided to scrap a chapter on Mohd. Iqbal, who is often assumed to initiate the idea of Pakistan. Simultaneously, the University has approved the setting up the new Partition, Hindu, and Tribal study centres. 

 On May 26, Delhi University’s Academic Council (AC) approved a motion to eliminate a chapter on Pakistan’s national poet -Muhammad Iqbal- writer of the celebrated song “Saare Jahan Se Achha”. The chapter titled ‘Modern India Political Thought’ was part of the political science syllabus for a sixth-semester paper for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) program. The decision for its removal was taken during the University’s 1014th Academic Council meeting. The proposal, however, will need to receive final approval from DU’s Executive Council (EC), which is expected to meet next on June 9.

A motion was brought regarding a change in the syllabus of political science. As per the motion, there was a chapter on Iqbal that has been removed from the syllabus.

– stated a member of the Academic Council.

 Muhammad Iqbal, born in 1877 in undivided India, was considered the brain behind the idea of Pakistan. Often referred to as the honorific Allama, he was a widely recognised Urdu and Persian poet in the Indian subcontinent. According to India Today, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Yogesh Singh commented that “those who laid the foundation to break India should not be in the syllabus” and emphasised teaching Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar and others. Reportedly, the House unanimously approved the Vice Chancellor’s proposal.

Among the 11 units part of the syllabus, the one on Iqbal titled ‘Iqbal: Community’, was reviewed by the Press Trust of India (PTI), as reported by the Mint. The course intends to study important themes through individual thinkers, some of which include Rammohan Roy, Pandita Ramabai, Swami Vivekananda, and Mahatma Gandhi.

The course has been designed to give students a glimpse into the richness and diversity within Indian political thought. The thematic exploration of ideas is meant to locate the topical debates on important subjects on a historical trajectory and reflect over the diverse possibilities exhibited in the writings of the respective thinkers.

– the syllabus mentions.

 According to sources, DU registrar Vikas Gupta mentioned that the proposals for establishing various new centres were also approved in the council meeting on Friday.

Proposals on setting up of centers for Partition, Hindu, and Tribal Studies have been passed. Mohd Iqbal has been dropped from the syllabus

– DU registrar Vikas Gupta

 However, 5 members of the Council, claiming the ideas as “divisive”, opposed the proposal for Partition Studies. They stated that such a discussion would only “provide an opportunity for venomous communal speeches,”.

The proposal for the center is meant to be divisive. Its objective states that the center will study past invasions, suffering, and slavery over 1300 years. It is offensive, communally divisive, and intellectually coherent

– asserted a statement signed by 5 members of the AC, according to the Hindustan Times

The Delhi unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) issued a statement welcoming the decision to scrap Iqbal – a “fanatic theological scholar” – from the syllabus.

Mohd Iqbal is called ‘the philosophical father of Pakistan’. He was the key player in establishing Jinnah as a leader in Muslim League. Mohd. Iqbal is as responsible for India’s Partition as Mohammad Ali Jinnah is.

– a statement issued by ABVP on the matter.

 The recommendations for the fourth, fifth, and sixth semesters of various courses under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022 were also passed during the meeting. Additionally, the University held deliberations on its decision to adopt the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) from the 2023-24 session.

 

 

Read also: DU Philosophy Department Opposes Decision to Scrap Course on Ambedkar – DU Beat – Delhi University’s Independent Student Newspaper

 

Featured Image Credits: World Bulletin

 

Manvi Goel

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The Right to Degree? Mix-up with results at CVS

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A graduate from the College of Vocational Studies (CVS) got in touch with DU Beat recently regarding a mix-up with their fourth, fifth and sixth-semester examination results in 2021 and 2022, leading to them being unable to receive their undergraduate degree and being asked to wait, practically for two years in order to reappear for their fifth and sixth semester exams, of which the college seems to have no prior record. 

The student, who prefers to remain anonymous, claims that in November 2021, while the University had shifted to the online mode due to the COVID-19 virus, they had appeared for her fourth-semester examination given through the open book format and mostly depending on internal assessment. However, afterwards, it was brought to their notice that the examination results from that semester were not uploaded on Delhi University’s website. When they approached faculty within their department as well as the dean (Dr Inderjit Dagar), B. Voc in Small and Medium Enterprises, she was asked to simply wait citing that it may be an administrative lag. It’s important to note here, that the student was suffering from COVID at the time and due to the online mode, most of the correspondence was taking place while they were in their hometown, Gorakhpur. 

By the time of their fifth-semester examinations in January 2022, the fourth-semester results were still nowhere to be found. This was also when colleges returned to the offline mode. Upon approaching the examination head at CVS, it transpired that there was in fact, no record of their fourth-semester examination form with the college and hence, they’d have to reappear for the fourth-semester examinations along with their sixth-semester one. However, even after doing so, she encountered a similar issue after her final undergraduate wherein her fifth and sixth examination results were also not uploaded on the website, once again. At this point, they started working in Bangalore and required their university results for further placements. They claim to have their fifth and sixth-semester exam registration forms as well.

Upon approaching the college and the South Campus administration through email, they didn’t receive a response to emails supposedly. This was during the time when the student was still not in Delhi as she had started working in Bangalore. When they raised the matter that she wouldn’t be able to submit the proof of examination offline due to the aforementioned reason, one South Campus administration member supposedly responded, 

“Aapka matter hai, aap khud nahi aaogi toh phir hum kya kar sakte hai?” (it’s your matter, if you yourself don’t come then what can we do)

After managing to get the documents physically submitted in Delhi, they allege that they received a lacking response from the University, which now asked them to resit for their fifth and sixth semester exams again, as the college had no record of their results. They were also told that they should’ve never been allowed to sit for the following two semesters if they hadn’t received the fourth semester exams, in the first place. In order to do this, they would end up receiving their degree after two years eventually and moreover, miss out on additional grades through internal assessment. This would also interfere with their higher education and further job opportunities. 

They expressed their disappointment in CVS, stressing that the college refuses to acknowledge that they ill-advised them, causing a great deal of stress and mental burden. They also added that they were taken aback by the University’s inefficient response given the gravity of the situation and their insensitivity towards their circumstances. 

Featured Image Source. Website of CVS

Read also: https://dubeat.com/2019/02/03/gun-pulled-out-at-cvs-campus-in-broad-daylight/ 

 

Chaharika Uppal

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DU Reconstitutes a Women Safety Committee in All-Women Colleges

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To address the safety concerns transpiring recent incidents at all-women colleges, DU issued a notification to reconstitute a women’s safety committee to strengthen the security of female students and employees.

On 8 May 2023, Delhi University (DU) issued a notification to reconstitute a committee on women’s safety and security in light of the incidents threatening the safety of students in all-women colleges. The committee, consisting of six members, will be headed by university proctor, Dr. Rajni Abbi.

The competent authority of the university has re-constituted a committee on women safety and security to strengthen the safety and security of female students and employees of the university

–stated the notification issued by DU on May 8 2023.

The notification is issued to address the recent incidents in cultural fests raising concerns regarding the safety and security of female students and employees on campus. On 29 March 2023, male trespassers harassed and catcalled women during Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW) annual fest, Shruti. A similar harassment incident was reported in Miranda College in October 2022 where several men scaled down the college walls and sexually harassed the female students attending the college’s Diwali fest. These incidents have also caused Gargi College’s annual fest, Reverie, to be cut short to only a one-day affair held on April 10, with limited participants and events.

The university felt the need to have a specific committee to look into the issues of female safety. The committee that was formed after these incidents created generalized guidelines. But it was not specific to the safety of girl students

–Dr. Rajni Abbi stated, in conversation with Press Trust of India (PTI).

Alongside Dr. Rajni Abbi as the Chairperson, the six-member committee will consist of Law Center II’s Prof. Vageshwari Deswal as the Member Secretary, joint proctor Prof. Geeta Sahare, Dr. Mallika Kumar from SRCC, Assistant Registrar Sh. Girish Kumar and Advocate Ms. Niyati Sharma as members.

Previously, on 17 April 2023, DU varsity issued an 17-point advisory notice to colleges and departments clearly stating the “responsibility for events shall lie with the college/department authorities” and the college will be responsible for any “untoward incident”.

Entry for events should be through pre-registration like on Google Forms with details of the event, that is, date, venue, and the expected number of participants, should be maintained and submitted to the police with a copy to other above-mentioned departments

–the advisory added.

 

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Sri Sidhvi Dindi

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DTF Holds Press Conference to Discuss DU’s Proposal of Implementing ITEP

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The Democratic Teachers’ Front comes forward with criticism and highlights hasty decision-making with regard to the implementation of Integrated Teacher Education Programme by the DU Academic Council.

A press conference was organised on 24th May 2023 at the Press Club by the Democratic Teachers’ Front to highlight concerns and discuss the impact of Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) by the varsity. This conference comes ahead of the Delhi University Academic Council’s meeting to be held on Friday, 26th May 2023 regarding the implementation of ITEP.

ITEP is a flagship four-year “dual-major holistic undergraduate degree” of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) under NEP 2020. ITEP will be replacing DU’s Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed) programme which was introduced in 1994. Currently, only eight colleges offer this programme which is unique to the varsity – Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, Jesus and Mary College, Mata Sundari College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Gargi College, Miranda House, Institute of Home Economics, and Lady Shri Ram College for Women. Out of these, the former three institutions have been granted permission by NCTE to offer ITEP in the upcoming 2023-24 academic year. Admissions to the same will be done through an entrance exam conducted by NTA instead of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET).

The design of the ITEP is based on the design of teacher preparation stated in the NEP 2020. It combines rigorous educational understanding, disciplinary depth and a strong focus on school practice while taking into account existing ground realities.

Reads the Agenda for the Academic Council’s meeting.

This proposal has met scathing criticism from educators who question the legitimacy, lack of syllabus and hasty decision making behind the programme. Key addressors at the press conference included Prof. Poonam Batra (former Faculty member, CIE, DU), Prof Anita Rampal (former Dean Faculty of Education, CIE, DU) and faculties from the eight colleges currently offering B.El.Ed.

The ITEP differs from the existing programme in two key areas – minimum Faculty qualification and programme structure. Teacher groups have alleged that the B.El.Ed is ‘internationally-recognised’ and ‘has successfully trained close to 10,000 teachers’. The ITEP curriculum on the other hand will follow three years of general education followed by one year of rigorous professional training. Educators have also come forward with criticism about the declining qualification standards for teaching the new programme.

This dilution of faculty qualification and a standardised homogenised curriculum indicates a deep dilution of the standards required to prepare school teachers. A common curriculum to educate teachers across diverse cultures, communities and languages of India will not prepare them to teach in diverse classrooms and hence will make them ineffective.

– Dr. S.Ram, a teacher at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi.

Questions have also been raised on the impact of this programme on the ongoing ad-hoc crisis and other temporary faculty in the varsity. With strict NCTE norms about the curriculum and exit options, the University’s autonomy about such decisions also comes under fire.

Closing down a well reputed programme such as the BElEd is not only illegal, it is also, academically and professionally irrational. The University should come clear on why it is coercing colleges to replace the BElEd with ITEP?

– reads the Official Press Release of DTF dated 24th May 2023.

Several independent educators and other teacher groups, both within Delhi University and outside have come forward with their disapproval of the programme.

By comparison with the B.El.Ed. program at Delhi University, ITEP thus represents a significant dumbing down. It reflects a conception of the teacher as a mere conduit for delivering pre-approved subject content, rather than as a socially responsible and autonomous professional capable of interpreting and adapting the curriculum and inspiring her pupils.

– a letter addressed to DU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Yogesh Singh by Edward Vickers, UNESCO chair professor on Education for Peace, Social Justice and Global Citizenship, Kyushu University, Japan dated 25th May 2023.

 

Read Also –https://dubeat.com/2023/05/15/du-scraps-existing-be-el-ed-programme/

Featured Image Credits – DTF

 Bhavya Nayak

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Natural Selection: Unpacking Diversity in DU Societies

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Student societies are a quintessential part of Delhi University. DU is a melting pot of cultures, but can the same be said about its societies? This is an attempt at examining student-run societies through the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity) Lens.

Delhi University continues to be known as a hub of academic excellence and scholastic development. Equally popular and beloved is the vibrant extracurriculars and co-curricular scene at the University. The idea of ‘Learning beyond the classroom’ is on the rise, and college student-run societies are the perfect playing ground for students looking to explore diverse passions. Be it the sharp-witted eloquence of Debating Societies, the dynamic hubbub of Dramatics Societies, or the intellectually-stimulating discussions of academic societies, most colleges offer students a wide range of options to choose from.

Delhi University is a popular destination for students from not just all parts of the country but abroad as well. DU is always scoring points for diversity within its student and staff bodies – whether this is tokenistic or empowering remains to be seen. While academic spaces have thrown their doors open for all individuals irrespective of their backgrounds, the same cannot be said about activities outside the classroom. Student-run societies, clubs, and cells are often ridden with elitism, bigotry, and toxicity.

Bade Log Societies

With several societies (numbers going as high as 50+) jostling for space, funds, and popularity within the college, insurmountable hierarchies are established and meaningful change seems improbable. In an already elitist university, some societies project themselves as top-tier owing to their legacy, work, or alumni. The rivalry between newly minted clubs and age-old soc machinery with admin backing is a familiar scene. This essentially pits creative pursuits like dance, drama, or music against co-curricular ones like economics, political science, or consulting. The never-ending battle for supremacy is won semester after semester on metrics like the number of students joining a society or the grandeur of its annual fest.

Despite their goals to be safe spaces for one to explore their passions and interest, entry into these societies is quite similar to the race for meeting the sky-high cut-offs of the ‘dream colleges’ in DU. Starry-eyed freshers flock to orientations that promise them riches in the form of self-development, CV pointers, and a second family. Societies battle for prime-time slots and locations to conduct these orientations – while some can book the air-conditioned seminar hall or provide refreshments (as bribery perhaps), others are stuck discussing their activities in sun-beaten lawns.

Turns out the seminar room was booked two months in advance for orientation by 5-6 societies. We didn’t even know when the new batch would be coming in.

– Secretary of a student club.

Equity – A Level Playing Field?

These societies are characterised by rigorous application processes involving elements like group discussions, personal interviews, research tasks, and auditions. More often than not, those with a certain level of pre-existing expertise in the field have the upper hand. Students from privileged, high-income, English-speaking backgrounds have a clear edge over their peers from marginalised sections. Tier 1 societies in colleges are often crowded with students who had access to private schooling or have connections and money for societies to exploit.

Also, applications often open around the same time, bombarding freshers with countless options and hollow promises. Societies that were set up to provide solace from academic rigour and a space to unwind, end up becoming a key source of frustration. A student’s worth which was earlier measured in marks and percentages is now linked with the societies or extracurriculars they choose to pursue.

I think getting into SRCC was easier than making into its societies. I would rather get 99% in boards than sit through another GD.

– a frustrated first-year from SRCC.

Diversity

With ‘woke’ culture and progressive and liberal ideas on the rise, these societies are quick to join the bandwagon. Competitions and discussions on topics like women empowerment, queer solidarity, tackling casteism, and body positivity are popular. However, the irony lies when one takes a cursory glance at the organisers of such events – upper class, high-income and privileged. Authentic representation takes a tumble when societies erect entry barriers for minority students.

“Galore – the fashion society, has a narrow view when it comes to selecting candidates – thin, tall, and fair. I find this funny since every event of theirs focuses on body image and body positivity.” – a student of Maitreyi College calls out the double standard of DU Fashion Societies.

The recent transphobia incident at Mark-It, the marketing society Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Student also raised outrage and questions about the lack of queer representation within the society which allowed such an event to transpire.

Even when entry is granted, non-confirming thinkers are ostracised and targeted. Group think and bias are widely prevalent with juniors acting as ‘Yes-Men’ for seniors.

“Debating allows you to express your opinions. However, I was actively discouraged and shunned from putting forward views which went against those of the Society President. This was especially sad seeing that it was a Debsoc.” – a student recounting her time at Trenchant, the English Debating Society, Maitreyi College.

Often students from South-Indian and North-East states have to deal with microaggressions or blatant discrimination from seniors and peers within these societies.

Inclusivity – The Way Ahead

After repeated call-outs and introspection, societies are acknowledging their shortcomings and working towards creating diverse and inclusive spaces. Open societies are such a step where everyone, irrespective of experience is granted entry and collaborative learning is pursued. Proactive changes to the induction and cabinet election processes have done small but meaningful wonders.

We recently had our executive council elections and the council also holds reserved seats for caste and gender minorities. In our soc, we have people from several different backgrounds, even people from non-English medium backgrounds who have unique ideas, and with debating are also honing their English skills

– A First-year member of The Debating Society, DCAC talks about inclusivity within the collegiate debating circuit.

Experiences vary across societies and colleges. Ultimately it is the student body, POR holders, and TICs who can create and incorporate mechanisms to tackle elitism. Age-old restrictive practices need to be done away with and massive structural upheaval is necessary. DU societies should actively reflect the rich diversity of its student body. There is much ground to cover ahead but the power to create sincere change lies with every student interacting with these societies in any capacity.

Featured Image Credits: Dramsoc SRCC Instagram

Read Also: Toxic Culture of DU Societies: Seniors with Junior Mindsets

 

Bhavya Nayak

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Of Students and Study Materials: Exploring DU’s Readings Market

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How the inexpensive readings market of DU becomes a student’s saviour, from course textbooks to previous years’ papers. 

After watching hundreds of videos on “a day in the Life of a Delhi University Student”, when the freshers finally enter the campus, realizing the necessity to survive such an academically rigorous structure takes its most miniature form – the study material. Kamala Nagar, Delhi School of Economics, Patel Chest, Satya Niketan, or Tilak Nagar – something that they all share in common apart from their bustling food corners and hundreds of students crowding in lines is that all of these places and many more, provide the much-needed gear up for every student panic-stricken with approaching exams. We are talking about the readings! 

Notes, readings and study materials form the crux of studying in an institution like DU, where the curriculum prescribes textbooks and references of numerous national and international writers. This is where such complexes step in and act as the “friend indeed” to thousands of students, providing all reading material at heavily slashed prices. Some of these work factorially and produce appropriate study material, handpicking readings from various authors and bringing statistics, factual information, research papers, archives, essays, and even photocopied versions of expensive branded textbooks – all into a thick bound spiral. 

Opting for History as a Generic Elective means reading essays from about ten historians in a single unit. Instead of looking for them all over the internet, it is extremely comfortable to purchase the readings from DSE (Delhi School of Economics) at a price much more affordable than what costs for actually buying the prescribed textbooks.

said Janhavi, a second-year student from Ramjas College.  

Delhi School of Economics has transformed into a hub catering to all the students completely dependent on notes and reading material because of their low attendance in classes due to ECA or internships. From Commerce to Economics and from History to Political Science, you can get neatly catalogued readings for every course at the cheapest possible rate. The photocopy lane at Patel Chest consists of dedicated stores providing readings specific to colleges like SRCC or St. Stephen’s, as well as course-specific bindings. 

Another such place that has garnered a monopoly over students’ textbooks, reference books, as well as competitive manuals, is Bookland – now a major textbooks brand in the Kamala Nagar market. The bookshop has a partnership with Shivdas and Worldview, two leading publishing companies dominating the market of textbooks prescribed under the University of Delhi’s curriculum as well as the previous years’ question papers for the majority of the courses the varsity offers, supporting a large DU-centric audience. Worldview publishers have entirely monopolized the varsity’s English literature syllabi and keep publishing texts with supportive critical essays authored by academic scholars and professors proficient in the area, along with detailed background information about each of them. Be it William Shakespeare’s Macbeth or Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, they have got you covered. With hawk eyes on any changes in the curriculum, the company makes sure to provide the amended material from the subsequent academic session. Shivdas’ previous years’ question papers cater to nearly all the courses and are bought by students preparing for their exams looking for glimpses of expected questions along with their solutions. 

While the offline readings market makes everything affordable and readily available, the Undergraduate study material of the varsity’s School of Open Learning is a priced possession not just for the students enrolled at the SOL, but also those pursuing the offered courses from other regular colleges. Prepared by qualified academicians of the SOL, online notes have proved to be a boon for students of Commerce, Political Science, BA Programme, Economics and English, spanning and serving everything the students need to study in just one PDF file. Clearly, it is a thesaurus since it is available to access free of cost and has become so reliable amongst the students that a day when the SOL website went dysfunctional sent chills down the spines of the stakeholders.

Thus, a discussion of DU’s reading market leads us to a common ground of similarity to its quarters – the affordability that it dispenses which makes it easier for students to manage their academic expenses along with their usual budget. While we get readings and question papers at a cheaper price, it is evident and rather important to interrogate the ethical immorality that much of this market substrates upon. Neglecting copyright regulations and editing out research credits from the material highlights that quality education gained from the readings of renowned authors is sold at the stake of honesty and ethical obligations. This leads us to juggle with the idea of how much plagiarism and research denouncement are negotiable for the sake of affordable learning. What becomes important for university education – is it the benefit of the student body for cheaper resources or crediting the work of academics, critics, and scholars who have prepared it after years of assessment? 

 

Image credits: So City

Read also: Five Tips to Sneak in Extra Time for Reading 

Aryan Vats

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DUB News

Jesus and Mary College and DU at Odds over Minority Admissions

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Delhi University yet again is at loggerheads with its minority-administered south campus Jesus and Mary College on the decision to do away with the interview in the upcoming admission season for its minority students.  Delhi University cannot take over admissions under Minority quota, states JMC plea.

Jesus and Mary College has filed a High Court petition in an effort to overturn Delhi University’s decision about the admission procedure for the academic year 2023-2024. According to a notification released by the University on December 30, 2022, The Executive Council of Delhi University made a decision to give admissions at both UG and PG levels solely on the basis of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) score. This policy also covers admissions under reserved categories and minority quotas. As confirmed by numerous other sources, the university intends to use only CUET scores as the only criterion for admission regardless of any category.

Conflicting views have emerged between the minority colleges and the University as a result of this decision. Advocate Romy Chacko advances JMC’s argument which states that is in clear violation of Article 30, of the Constitution of India to insist on giving 100 per cent weightage to CUET scores under the 50 per cent minority quotas.

Minorities have the fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions under Article 30. Hence, the plea declares that University cannot interfere with their right or take absolute control of admissions as it is Ultra vires ( an act beyond one’s legal capacity or authority ) and unconstitutional.

A similar concern was raised by St. Stephens in September 2022 which sparked a legal battle between the college and the University where the college wanted to conduct interviews for the admission process apart from the CUET scores. In their plea, St. Stephens insisted on giving 85 per cent to CUET scores and the rest 15 per cent to its interview round for non-Christian applicants. While they stressed this was their right as a minority institution to take decisions independently, The High Court ordered the college to concentrate only on CUET merit for admitting non-minority students adding that the interview process can be carried out for the minority students. The college appealed the High Court decision to the Supreme Court after that.

The JMC plea makes a reference to this High Court decision dated September 12 and notes that while the St. Stephens case is still pending with the Supreme Court, this decision of the Executive Council is in conflict with the previous High Court Judgement and suffers from ‘total non-application of mind’.

On Tuesday, the matter was listed before a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad. The Delhi High Court is now set to hear this plea by Jesus and Mary College on May 24, 2023. Notices for the same have been sent to Delhi University and UGC.

Read Also: St. Stephen’s Supreme Council Row Escalates, Delhi High Court Seeks Response

Image Credits – Jesus and Mary official website

Priya Agrawal

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