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Syndicate members oppose inclusion of essays by Nandy, Sainath
‘Third world writings’ trigger controversy in Kuvempu varsity
Veerendra P M, Shimoga, DH News Service:
The experiment to decanonise the syllabus by accommodating the third world writings and promoting inter-disciplinary studies has triggered a controversy in Kuvempu University.
Journalist P Sainath’s essay ‘Fear of Democracy’ and Ashis Nandy’s ‘Gandhi after Gandhi’ are prescribed for the sixth semester BA English optional students. ‘Fear of Democracy’ speaks of intolerance among the upper middle class in Mumbai towards dalits who assemble every year to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti.
Sainath has made a passing reference in the article to then BJP-Shiv Sena government’s decision to drop over 1,000 cases related to atrocity against SC/STs in Maharashtra which has created displeasure among a section of Syndicate members of Kuvempu University.
In the Syndicate meeting held last month, Ashis Nandy’s article ‘Gandhi after Gandhi’ which is a satire on modern Indian politics, which has drifted away from Gandhian ideology, has also been opposed.
Syndicate members have expressed reservation against accommodating the works of Kannada writers like Girish Karnad and Vaidehi in the English literature syllabus. Even ABVP has submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor seeking withdrawal of ‘controversial’ texts from the syllabus.
Organisations like Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samiti and Bahumata Sanghatane have demanded the University to retain ‘Fear of Democracy,’ the essay which celebrates Dr Ambedkar’s personality.
Dalita Sangharsha Samiti is of the opinion that ‘Fear of Democracy’ initiates a healthy debate on dalit issues and has said that efforts to withdraw the text from the syllabus will be protested.
Vice Chancellor Professor B S Sherigar sought the opinion from English Board of Studies over the issue. English BoS has decided to stand by the syllabus which has been okayed by academic council and was taught last year.
In the report submitted to the V-C on Wednesday, English Board of Studies has said that there is nothing objectionable as such in the syllabus and English literature need to mean the literature composed by Western authors. The V-C has said that the report will be tabled in the next Syndicate meeting.
‘Give us freedom’
Teachers of English literature in affiliated colleges of Kuvempu University are of the opinion that Syndicate has exceeded its brief by raising objection against the syllabus which has already been prescribed. “Teachers should have the freedom to design the syllabus and efforts to encroach the same is undemocratic,” they said.
Regarding the objection against prescribing the works of Girish Karnad, Vaidehi and other Kannada writers to English literature students, teachers said, “English language, the lingua franca has enabled us to enjoy the writings of African writers also. Booker and Nobel are no longer prerogative of Western writers. Mahashwethadevi received the highest civilian honour of France, and her works are studied in Western Universities.
Many Kannada writers were discussed in western academic circles also as their works were translated into English. It forms the obligation of the University to provide space for local writers and issues in the syllabus.”
“When inter-disciplinary and cross-cultural studies is the buzzword in the academic circles, it amounts to deceiving the students if we force them to study Victorian and Elizabethan literature,” they said.
The cultural, political and economic views of P Sainath, Ashis Nandy will sure enrich the sensibilities of students, they said.Syndicate member Dharmaprasad who opposed the syllabus in the meeting told Deccan Herald that some texts in the syllabus have derogatory remarks against BJP and Shiv Sena leaders.
“My objection is against such texts which were included in the syllabus by a few vested interests,” he said.
Calls for examining our society and holding up a mirror to the ugliness of "Indian" society gets branded as injecting poison into society. Indian society was never a "hum sath sath hai" movie. High time we stopped pretending and acknowledged our inherent cruelty as a society
It is very pity to see that some of the left oriented academicians have found the university and the college syllabus to spread the hatred and divide the society on caste basis. If they have even iota of respect for educational system of India and the future of Indian students they must refrain from sowing dangerous caste and political learning in the college curriculum. If these divisive elements are not heeded genuine voices, they must be shown home. Dismiss them from the service. Let them fight in the court for years for their political leanings .
What people want to do is live in past glories. "Glories" is also a strong word ... Book celebrates Ambedkars life so we will keep on reading the same book throughout our life. Forget reality that is not to be taught in any case. What a bunch of jokers.
Teachers of English literature in affiliated colleges of Kuvempu University are of the opinion that Syndicate has exceeded its brief by raising objection against the syllabus which has already been prescribed. “Teachers should have the freedom to design the syllabus and efforts to encroach the same is undemocratic,” they said.
