Ramanujan College, affiliated with Delhi University, has stirred controversy by making a certificate-cum-refresher course on the Bhagavad Gita mandatory for its teaching and non-teaching staff. The 20-day course, running until January 9, is offered in both online and offline modes, scheduled from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm. College principal SP Aggarwal justified the decision, stating that it aligns with the establishment of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) Centre at the college. Aggarwal urged staff to sensitize themselves to such programs, emphasizing that similar initiatives will follow for the Vedas, integral components of the Indian Knowledge System.
However, this move has faced backlash from the teaching community, particularly the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), which denounced the mandatory registration for the course. The DTF argued that the principal abused his powers by compelling staff to attend a refresher certificate course on the Bhagavad Gita. Teachers expressed concern about the imposition of “sectarian beliefs” and criticized the additional workload, especially during ongoing semester examinations.
The controversy has escalated further with allegations of illegal coercion, as the DTF accuses the principal of exceeding his authority and infringing upon the official duties of staff. The demand for withdrawal of the mandatory registration reflects a broader sentiment among educators who perceive the move as unacceptable.
In the broader context, the decision by Ramanujan College aligns with the Ministry of Education’s initiatives to incorporate Indian Knowledge Systems into the academic curriculum. The Indian Knowledge System Centre, established in October 2020 under the Ministry of Education, aims to promote interdisciplinary research on various aspects of IKS. The goal is to bridge the gap between modern and traditional education by actively engaging in spreading the rich heritage of the country across diverse fields such as Arts and Literature, Agriculture, Basic Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Architecture, Management, and Economics. The controversy at Ramanujan College highlights the challenges and debates surrounding the integration of traditional knowledge systems into contemporary education.