Delhi University History Students Protest Course Reduction, Demand Restoration of 43 Papers

Students of Delhi University's History Department staged a protest on Friday against the alleged reduction of course offerings in the department. While faculty had proposed 43 papers for teaching, the university administration approved only 23, according to student claims. The students alleged that the reduction has narrowed their academic choices, particularly in specialised areas including caste studies, gender history, tribal histories, labour history, and medieval Indian history.

Faculty members and Academic Council members speaking at the protest raised concerns about the decision-making process. Former department head Prabhu Mohapatra said teachers were being prevented from teaching in their areas of specialisation despite having research expertise. History professor Maya John alleged that the department head was not permitted to speak in Academic Council meetings and that the expert committee reviewing courses did not include history professors.

Professor Jitendra Meena characterised the developments as reflecting a broader pattern of ideological intervention in higher education. He referenced a recent PMO notification listing certain books, including B R Ambedkar's "Annihilation of Caste" and works by Sharmila Rege, as unsuitable for university teaching.

Students demanded restoration of all 43 proposed papers, an end to arbitrary course deletions, protection of academic autonomy, and a transparent decision-making process involving faculty expertise.