DU PLAN TO INTRODUCE BOOK OF CHETAN BHAGAT STALLED

The proposal by Delhi University's English department to include author Chetan Bhagat’s novels in literature curriculum and introduce a course on writing Facebook posts has hit a roadblock following opposition from teachers of various colleges.

The DU has decided to put the proposal on hold and formed a review committee to recommend if it can be taken up in the next academic session.

“It was felt there is arbitrariness in modification of the syllabus. It has also come to light that the department has been in practice of favouring some authors and publishers, going out of the way of normal practice,” read the minutes of the meeting in which the committee was formed.

Newspaper dailies did considerable reportage over the issue. Networking sites like Twitter was ‘shocked’ with the news and Facebook and WhatsApp were no behind with comments on the story,” the minutes added.

The bestselling author had tweeted in April that his book had been included in the DU curriculum. The university confirmed that the department was considering the proposal made by the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and Mr Bhagat’s book would be taught along with fiction novels by US novelist and poet Louisa M. Alcott, crime novelist Agatha Christie and Harry Potter writer J.K. Rowling. The CBCS also recommended making Facebook post writing to be part of a course on “academic writing”.