Under Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, the Academic Council of Delhi University has approved four new value-added courses centered on the Bhagavad Gita. The decision has sparked criticism, with opponents alleging it undermines the pluralistic ethos of a secular educational institution.
In addition to these courses, the council approved a value-added course on the government’s vision for “Viksit Bharat,” a PhD program in Hindu Studies, and a partnership with foreign universities allowing students to spend a semester abroad.
The newly approved courses include The Gita for a Holistic Life, Leadership Excellence Through the Gita, The Gita for a Sustainable Universe, and The Gita: Navigating Life Challenges. Another course, Envisaging Viksit Bharat: Perspectives and Challenges, was also sanctioned. These are part of a larger catalog of courses the university prepares, allowing colleges to select based on their resources. Under the four-year undergraduate program, students are required to take four value-added courses within the first two years.
Some Academic Council members—Maya John, Monami Sinha, Mithuraaj Dhusiya, and Biswajit Mohanty—expressed dissent, questioning the focus and framing of these courses.
John argued that concentrating value-added courses solely on the Gita limits students’ exposure to India’s diverse philosophical traditions. “Engaging with a variety of value traditions is essential for young students before forming their religious-moral perspectives,” she stated, adding that Article 51A(h) of the Constitution emphasizes the importance of developing scientific temper, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry. “These courses, however, promote mystical thinking, which contradicts constitutional principles,” John added.
Sinha highlighted the risks of privileging a single religious text in a secular institution. She emphasized that such texts should be included for critical analysis or mythological studies rather than promoting a particular worldview.
“The Gita is undoubtedly a profound philosophical work that individuals may turn to for personal guidance,” Sinha noted. “However, emphasizing one religious scripture over others undermines the pluralistic ethos necessary for a secular educational space. This approach could unintentionally prioritize one belief system, challenging principles of equality and neutrality in academia.”
Last year, the university introduced value-added courses on Vedic mathematics, further expanding its offerings.
