SC notice to DU on Ramayana textbook
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought Delhi University’s response to a petition accusing it of “hurting” the sentiments of Hindus by prescribing the alleged distorted version of Ramayana as textbook for undergraduate history course.
Issuing notice to the vice-chancellor of the university, a bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and Anil R. Dave sought his affidavit on a specific plea raised in a petition by Dina Nath Batra for placing the “opinion” of an expert committee, appointed to examine the matter, before the academic council of the university.
Three Hundred Ramaya-nas; Five Examples and three Thoughts on Translation written by Prof. Ramanunjam has been prescribed by the university as a textbook for B.A. second year course. “This book contained several passages and instances which hurt and wound the feelings of Hindus,” the petition said, adding that the university administration had “ignored” the Supreme Court’s earlier direction asking the academic counsel to look into the matter.
The matter reached the top court after the high court dismissed Mr Nath’s petition. He was permitted to place evidence before the academic counsel, including the expert committee’s report by the top court in September 2008.
Mr Nath in his petition alleged that despite repeated request made to the vice-chancellor regarding placing the evidence before the academic council, no action was taken to fulfil the court direction. Nath, who has sought removal of Prof. Ramanujam’s book from the course, urged the court that a decision should be taken as early as possible.
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