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Jammu University Panel Moves to Remove Jinnah, Syed Ahmad Khan from Syllabus

The Departmental Affairs Committee of the University of Jammu has unanimously recommended excising content related to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Syed Ahmad Khan, and Mohammad Iqbal from its Political Science postgraduate programs. This decision follows a protest by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) against Jinnah's inclusion in the curriculum. The final decision now rests with the Board of Studies, which is scheduled to meet to deliberate on the recommendations. The ABVP argued that academic freedom must align with national sentiments and historical integrity.

Key Points: Jammu University Recommends Dropping Jinnah from Curriculum

  • Committee recommends topic removal
  • Follows ABVP student protest
  • Board of Studies to decide March 24
  • Part of Political Science syllabus revision
2 min read

Jammu University Committee recommends removal of topics on Jinnah from curriculum

University committee recommends removing topics on Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Syed Ahmad Khan, and Mohammad Iqbal from Political Science syllabus after ABVP protest.

"Academic freedom cannot ignore national sentiments and historical integrity. - ABVP Jammu and Kashmir"

Jammu, March 23

The Department Affairs Committee of the University of Jammu on Sunday recommended the removal of topics concerning former Pakistan Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah from the curriculum of political sciences, following protests by the ABVP, a press note stated.

According to the press note, the committee also recommended the removal of topics related to Aligarh Muslim University founder Syed Ahmad Khan and Pakistani poet Mohammad Iqbal.

The Board of Studies will decide on the recommendations at its meeting on March 24.

Jammu University said, "The Faculty/Departmental Affairs Committee (DAC) meeting was held on March 22 at 12:00 noon in the office of the Head of the Department to deliberate upon certain issues raised concerning the syllabi of the One-Year and Two-Year MA Programmes in Political Science as per the guidelines of NEP-2020."

"After a thorough consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to recommend the removal of topics concerning Mohd. Ali Jinnah, Syed Ahmad Khan and Mohd. Iqbal from the course content of PIPSTC 102 of the One-Year Postgraduate Programme and the course content of P2PSTC 302 of the Two-Year Postgraduate Programme in Political Science to the Board of Studies for its consideration. The meeting of BOS is scheduled on March 24 at 11:30 AM through online mode to further deliberate on the matter," the press note read.

This came after a protest by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Saturday against the inclusion of Mohammad Ali Jinnah in the curriculum of Jammu University.

"ABVP Jammu University protests against the inclusion of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the Political Science syllabus under 'Minorities and the Nation.' We demand an immediate rollback. Academic freedom cannot ignore national sentiments and historical integrity," ABVP Jammu and Kashmir wrote on X.

Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the first Governor-General and is regarded as the founder of Pakistan. The Muslim League, adopting the Pakistan resolution in the Lahore session, later in 1947, led to the partition of India upon independence.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand the sentiment, removing historical figures entirely from a political science curriculum seems problematic. Shouldn't we study all perspectives to understand the complete picture of our history, even the painful parts?
A
Aman W
Syed Ahmad Khan and Iqbal too? That's going too far. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan contributed to education for all communities. This feels like an overreaction. We can't just erase parts of history we don't like.
S
Sarah B
As someone studying history, this is concerning. Academic syllabi shouldn't be changed based on political pressure from any group. Let scholars decide what is academically relevant.
V
Vikram M
Jinnah's role in the partition is a historical fact. But devoting a whole topic to him in a course about "Minorities and the Nation" in an Indian university does seem misplaced. There are better case studies to use.
K
Kavya N
The committee has unanimously recommended it after deliberation. We should trust our academic bodies to make these decisions for the curriculum. Hoping the BOS takes a balanced view tomorrow.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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