'Biased, irrational topics being discussed at Delhi University course for profs'

Yajna can help combat pollution and the image of an 'omkar' is visible in sun rays! These are some of the topics being discussed at Delhi University currently. An ongoing orientation and refresher course launched by the Delhi University for its faculty members on November 28, on 'Education with Indian Values' and 'Indian culture thoughts and thinkers', has been focussing on these topics.

Sitting in a tightly-packed classroom at the Centre for Professional Development in Higher Education (CPDHE), faculty members eagerly waiting for "academically" important topics were taken by surprise and rather irked by the "unscientific" discussions.

"NASA has recently proved that the image of omkar can be found in sun rays," said Atul Kothari, former general secretary of RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the general secretary of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, a right-wing educational organisation, while addressing the first day of the course.

On the second day, another speaker, who is a physics professor at DU, gave a detailed lecture on the importance of yajna. "We were told by a physics teacher that the ghee used in Yajna pacifies the particulate matters present in the environment. We are being taught things which are scientifically incorrect," a Dyal Singh College professor, who is attending the course told DNA.

Claiming that most of the speakers addressing the course are either former "RSS pracharak" or "right-wing ideologists", several faculty members alleged that "the University is using it as a tool to give some space to people of a particular ideology." "Most of the speakers end their address by either criticising leftist-ideologies or Jawaharlal Nehru University. How are these things even academically relevant?" asked another assistant professor.

CPDHE Director, Prof Geeta Singh, however, denied the charges and said the programmes are "free from any political or ideological biases". "The courses are being organised by the UGC and are based on Indian culture. What is wrong in discussing the importance of yajna when it is a part of our culture?" she asked. "It is too early to judge the ideology of the programme," she said.

"As per the University Grants Commission (UGC)  regulations for promotion, faculty member have to attend these courses for their appraisal. The classes for the three to four week-long courses are being held from 10 am to 5:15 pm from Monday to Friday. "I am a bound to attend the course as my promotion depends on it. Otherwise, who would like to listen to this rubbish?” said another professor." 

Meanwhile, faculty members, who attended the courses last year claimed to have had the same experience. "It was even worse last year. We were made to do yoga and chant om everyday, following which a section of teachers had protested," said a professor at Department of Modern Indian Languages (MIL).