Ramayana in syllabus: DU gets notice

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought Delhi University's response on an application seeking deletion of an allegedly distorted version of the Ramayana, part of the History (Honours) syllabus.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought Delhi University's response on an application seeking deletion of an allegedly distorted version of the Ramayana, part of the History (Honours) syllabus.

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A Bench headed by Justice P. Sathasivam issued notice to DU on historian Dina Nath Batra's application, who complained that the Vice Chancellor had ignored the apex court's order for referring the issue to DU's Academic Council.

The controversy relates to an article "Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts," authored by late Prof Ramanunjam.

Batra alleged the article was blasphemous and ought to be deleted from the syllabus, as it would corrupt the minds of the students.

On September 19, 2008, the Supreme Court had permitted Batra to place his views on the article before the Vice Chancellor, who was asked to submit it before the academic council. Batra had moved the apex court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition.

In his latest application before the SC, Batra has claimed that though he approached the Vice Chancellor several times, the latter did not show any interest in taking steps to submit his evidence before the council.