In a recent turn of events, Manoj Jha, a professor at Delhi University and a member of the Rajya Sabha, was invited to give a lecture as part of a refresher course for teachers. He was then uninvited, and then he was invited back, sparking a controversy that the Centre for Professional Development in Higher Education (CPDHE) at Delhi University found itself in. Questions have been raised about the freedom of scholarly expression and the impact of political ideology on educational institutions as a result of this sequence of events.
Manoj Jha, a well-known Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) official and esteemed professor in Delhi University’s Department of Social Work, was initially requested to serve as the course resource for an online refresher course on September 4. It was planned for him to speak on “Political Social Work: New Opportunity for Practice.” However, Jha learned of the lecture’s cancellation from CPDHE through email on Wednesday morning.
The cancellation drew criticism and prompted questions. Geeta Singh, the director of CPDHE, initially insisted that the lecture was only being “rescheduled” as a result of a change in their timetable, citing the upcoming inauguration of a training portal by the Prime Minister on September 4 or 5. But many were dubious because of the timing and the fact that there had been no prior notice of the rescheduling.
Yogesh Singh, the vice chancellor of Delhi University, intervened and voiced his worry for the predicament. I learned about this from Professor Manoj, he said. I have requested that Geeta Singh, the director of CPDHE, invite him to the talk. Not inviting someone and then cancelling is bad form.
“I can speak in Parliament, on the streets, and write in newspapers, but I can’t address the teachers of my own university,” Manoj Jha said in a video message to voice his frustration. What fear do you have? Regarding this, I shall write to the prime minister and the minister of education. His opinions are in line with worries about academic freedom and the ability of experts to converse freely with students about crucial issues.
Several teachers’ associations took notice of the controversy. The Democratic United Teachers’ Alliance, a coalition of teachers’ associations, criticized the exclusion, calling it “undignified,” and asserting that resource people with “ideological views of the ruling dispensation while excluding all contrarian views” were being stacked into orientation, refresher, and development programmes for teachers. This charge prompts more significant inquiries regarding the impact of political ideology on academic institutions and the necessity of a fair and inclusive conversation within universities.
As the story develops, it emphasizes how crucial it is to defend academic freedom, ensure open communication, and preserve the diversity and pluralism of educational institutions. We don’t yet know how this dispute will be settled or what effect it might have on future academic debate at Delhi University and elsewhere.
For more information read this article: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/manoj-jha-says-du-cancelled-his-lecture-demands-probe-university-says-rescheduled/article67253308.ece.
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