A course for convenience sake
Buddhist Studies is a hit among students politicians, though no one seems to take it seriously.
What is the most sought after course by student politicians in Delhi University (DU)? It is Masters in Buddhist Studies. In the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections held last year, 3 out of the 8 candidates from the major parties of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and National Students Union of India (NSUI) were students of this course. This year also some of the candidates are studying in this course. “It has to be the most popular course with students wanting to be a part of student political parties or fight the election. This year as well out of the 11 candidates, who had given their names for election to fight from our side, four were pursuing MA in Buddhist studies,” says Amrishranjan Pandey, of NSUI. “However this year have we have not taken a single candidate from that course,” he further says.
“I have also taken admission in Buddhist Studies this year. It is easy to take admission in it as the seats are empty. It helps in being a part of DU, which is needed for my work. Even though most students don’t come for classes, I have always submitted all my assignments,” says Rohit Chahal, State Secretray ABVP Delhi. ABVP’s final panel also has just 1 candidate who is a student of MA in Buddhist Studies. Faculty members are not happy. “Students who are least interested in studying this course take admission. They are just interested in being a part of it because they have to fight the elections or be involved in student politics in some way or the other,” says Prof. KTS Sarao (Head), Department of Buddhist Studies.