Is Liberal Education Under Threat at Delhi University?
Delhi University – India’s academic jewel, a name synonymous with excellence, debate, and liberal learning. But today, many students and faculty are asking a worrying question: Is the soul of DU’s liberal education being quietly dismantled?
What’s Going On?
Recent curriculum decisions by DU’s Academic Council have stirred serious debate. Key syllabus changes in disciplines like Political Science and Philosophy seem to signal more than just academic restructuring – they suggest a shift in ideological priorities.
For example:
The iconic Gandhi paper has been moved from Semester V to Semester VII. Since most students opt for a 3-year program (ending at Semester VI), they might never study Gandhi at all.
A new paper on V.D. Savarkar, a controversial Hindutva figure, has been introduced in Semester IV.
An elective on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was proposed to be removed from Philosophy, before pushback led to its partial retention.
All these changes are happening under the radar — debated behind closed doors and implemented without wider student consultation.
Why It Matters
Liberal education is more than just learning names and dates. It’s about:
Critical thinking
Debating opposing viewpoints
Understanding India’s diverse socio-political history
If certain thinkers or ideologies are emphasized while others are sidelined, it can result in a narrower, more one-dimensional education — something that’s dangerous in a country as complex as India.
The Bigger Picture: NEP and “Graded Autonomy”
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 talks a big game about “flexibility” and “multidisciplinary learning.” But in practice, DU students and teachers are seeing more centralization, not less.
Under the new system:
Departments have less autonomy in designing their syllabi.
Colleges are being pushed into mergers and restructuring without clarity.
Critical humanities subjects are being treated as optional, even dispensable.
The vision seems to be turning DU into a skills-and-employment-focused system — but at the cost of its vibrant, thought-provoking, liberal spirit.
Student Voices and Resistance
Thankfully, not everyone is staying quiet. Student unions, independent collectives, and many DU professors are voicing their concerns and demanding transparency.
Their key demands include:
Restoring academic freedom
Protecting pluralism in syllabus design
Ensuring critical voices like Gandhi, Ambedkar, Periyar, and Phule remain part of the curriculum
So, What Can We Do?
As DU students, it’s time to get informed, involved, and vocal.
Join department discussions and raise questions.
Attend academic council open forums if possible.
Write, share, and amplify student perspectives.
Support faculty and student protests rooted in preserving academic diversity.
Liberal education is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for a vibrant democracy. What we study shapes how we think. Let’s make sure DU continues to be a place where all ideas can be studied, debated, and understood — not just those approved from the top.
Stay aware. Stay loud. Stay DuWaale.
