DU proposes removing 3 books by Kancha Ilaiah

Dalit writer-activist Kancha Ilaiah.

Delhi University’s Standing Committee on Academic Matters Wednesday recommended removing three books of Dalit writer-activist Kancha Ilaiah from the political science syllabus for allegedly being insulting to Hinduism. The decision has to be approved by the Academic Council. It also recommended discontinuing the use of the word ‘Dalit’ in academic discourse.

Committee member Professor Hansraj Suman said there was a discussion on the syllabus of nine Master’s courses. “We decided to remove the books ‘Why I am not a Hindu’, ‘Buffalo Nationalism’ and ‘Post-Hindu India’ because they are insulting to Hinduism. We felt it would not be appropriate for students to read it,” he said.

Advertisement

The decisions need to be approved by the AC. A meeting would be held before November 15, Suman said.

Ilaiah told The Indian Express that it was an unfortunate move: “My books have been used as reference books in many countries, as well as in DU, for years. They are just a continuation of Ambedkar’s work… The BJP is censoring academic scholarship.”

(With PTI inputs)