Teachers angry over mandatory course on Bhagavad Gita in DU college
New Delhi: Delhi University’s Ramanujan College has issued an order making a certificate-cum-refresher course on the Bhagavad Gita mandatory for its teaching and non-teaching staff. This has angered a section of teachers, who said it could lead to the spread of “communal beliefs”.
The 20-day course is scheduled to run from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm, online and offline, till January 9.
In an email to the teaching staff, college principal SP Aggarwal wrote: “This course is in line with the establishment of the Center for Indian Knowledge Systems in the college. In view of this, it is our responsibility to sensitize ourselves through such programs before ” ”It further said that the college will organize programs not only for the Bhagavad Gita but also for the Vedas, which are part of the Indian knowledge system.
Meanwhile, teachers’ organization Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) has demanded withdrawal of compulsory registration.
In a statement, the DTF said Ramanujan principal SP Aggarwal had misused the powers vested in him to direct all teachers and non-teaching staff to compulsorily register for and attend a refresher certificate course on the Bhagavad Gita. Have done”.
“Illegally forcing teachers and non-teaching staff to remain engaged till 6.30 pm beyond official duties and burdening students with the additional burden of conducting ongoing semester examinations is unacceptable,” it said.
