DU’s Gita-based course proposal sparks outcry from academic council members

The proposal to introduce four value-added courses at Delhi University (DU), centred around the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, has come under fire from several elected members of the university’s academic council, who argue that the move threatens the secular ethos of the institution and raises concerns about academic neutrality.

The courses — 'Gita for Holistic Life', 'Gita for Sustainable Universe', 'Gita: Navigating Life Challenges', and 'Leadership Excellence Through Gita' — are intended to explore the scripture's teachings in practical contexts.

Another proposed course, 'An Introduction to Viksit Bharat' — focusing on the concept of a "developed India," a key slogan of the BJP-led Central government — has also raised eyebrows.

While the value addition committee claims the courses are designed to be inclusive and accessible to all students, detractors argue that the decision to base multiple courses on a single religious text could undermine the university’s pluralistic values.

Dr Monami Sinha, an elected academic council member, criticised the proposal to prioritise a religious text in an institution founded on secular ideals. “Religious scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita can be studied for critical analysis or mythology, but they should not serve as tools to propagate religious ideologies,” she said.

She cautioned that privileging one scripture over others risks disrupting the university’s commitment to inclusivity and equality. “While the Gita offers profound philosophical insights, its exclusive focus sidelines the pluralistic traditions that form India’s diverse intellectual heritage,” she said.

Echoing these sentiments, Maya John, a professor at Jesus and Mary College, highlighted the potential drawbacks of such courses. “The Gita has been interpreted in vastly different ways, from Gandhi’s nonviolence to Godse’s justification for violence. The university’s proposal fails to account for this diversity of perspectives,” she said.

John further argued that limiting students’ exposure to a single text risks fostering insular thinking. “Indian culture is a tapestry of diverse traditions, and this proposal does not reflect that richness,” she added.

Critics also point to broader issues within the DU curriculum. The controversy underscores a larger debate about the role of religious texts in public education. While proponents argue that the Bhagavad Gita offers universal wisdom, opponents see this move as a step towards privileging one worldview in an academic setting meant to celebrate diversity.

As the academic council deliberates on the proposal, the outcome could set a precedent for how India’s educational institutions navigate the fine line between inclusivity and ideological imposition.