Delhi University Drops PG Political Science Content on Pakistan, China, Islam, and Political Violence
Academic Council Approves New Paper on Sikh Martyrdom under Centre for Independence and Partition Studies
New Delhi, July 6, 2025 – In a significant curricular revision, Delhi University has dropped several controversial topics from its postgraduate Political Science syllabus, including content related to Pakistan, China, Islam, and political violence. This decision was ratified in a recent meeting of the Academic Council, which also approved the introduction of a new thematic paper focusing on Sikh martyrdom during India's freedom struggle.
Topics Removed Amidst Ideological Debate
The move comes amidst an ongoing debate over the ideological orientation of university syllabi and accusations of “saffronisation” of education. Sources from the University’s Political Science Department confirmed that modules previously focusing on:
- India’s relations with Pakistan and China,
- Islam and political mobilisation, and
- Theories and practices of political violence,
have now been entirely removed or significantly diluted from the MA Political Science curriculum.
While the official minutes have not been made public, faculty members indicated that the changes were based on recommendations submitted earlier by a syllabus revision committee. These recommendations were reportedly aimed at "decolonizing and Indianizing" the curriculum.
New Focus: Sikh Martyrdom and Partition Studies
Simultaneously, the Academic Council approved the launch of a new paper titled "Martyrdom and Resistance in the Sikh Tradition", which will be offered under the newly established Centre for Independence and Partition Studies (CIPS). The paper is set to explore the role of Sikh figures and movements in India’s anti-colonial resistance, with special emphasis on:
- The Ghadar Movement,
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his ideology,
- The contribution of Sikh communities during Partition, and
- The post-Partition identity and struggles of Sikhs in India.
The introduction of this paper is being seen as part of a larger effort to highlight narratives of martyrdom and cultural nationalism, and to bring “ignored histories” into mainstream academia.
Reactions from Faculty and Students
The decision has sparked mixed reactions from academic circles. A section of faculty members and students have raised concerns about the exclusion of key geopolitical topics, particularly those related to India’s foreign policy and global political order.
“Political violence, India-China and India-Pakistan relations, and religion’s role in politics are crucial to understanding South Asian politics. Eliminating these topics narrows the analytical scope for postgraduate students,” said a senior professor on the condition of anonymity.
Others, however, have welcomed the changes, viewing them as a necessary corrective to previous ideological biases. “The curriculum must reflect the lived histories of Indian communities. Highlighting Sikh martyrdom is a long overdue recognition of their contribution,” said Dr. R.P. Singh, a member of the newly created CIPS.
Part of a Broader Curriculum Overhaul
This is not the first time Delhi University has found itself at the center of a curriculum controversy. Over the past few years, the university has undergone several syllabus changes, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, which many view as part of a broader ideological shift in India’s higher education.
The changes will take effect from the upcoming academic session (2025–26), with revised readings and modules to be notified soon by the department.
Next Steps: Executive Council Approval
The final step in implementing these syllabus changes will require formal approval from the Executive Council, the university’s highest statutory body. While approval is expected to be a formality, some academic and student groups have hinted at protests and legal recourse.
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