BJP leader urges Dharmendra Pradhan to review Jammu University plan to drop Sir Syed, Iqbal from MA syllabus

BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal on Monday sought Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's intervention to reconsider a proposal to remove topics related to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Allama Muhammad Iqbal from the MA political science syllabus at the University of Jammu. A committee set up by the university to review the syllabus of MA political science has recommended the removal of topics related to Khan, widely regarded as one of the founders of the 'two-nation theory', Iqbal, known as the national poet of Pakistan, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder and first governor-general of Pakistan, from the course content.

The decision follows protests by the ABVP on Friday demanding the withdrawal of a chapter on Jinnah, which was included in the revised postgraduate syllabus under the National Education Policy-2020. In his letter, Sirwal appealed to Pradhan to examine the recommendation before a final decision is taken by the varsity's Board of Studies on March 24.

"The proposed omission of Khan and Iqbal from the syllabus risks diminishing an important part of India's intellectual and educational inheritance, which must be preserved for future generations," Sirwal said. "Khan played a historic role in promoting modern and scientific education, and his efforts laid the foundation of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, which later became the Aligarh Muslim University.

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Iqbal's philosophical thought and his patriotic verse 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' remain an enduring part of India's intellectual and cultural heritage," Sirwal said. "Removing such figures from the political science curriculum may narrow the academic discourse and weaken the balanced understanding of India's political and intellectual history," he added.

The BJP leader also said the National Education Policy-2020 calls for an education system that is inclusive, balanced and rooted in India's civilisational legacy, and the proposed omissions appear contrary to that spirit. "I respectfully request the Ministry of Education to review the recommendation before a final decision is taken so that the syllabus reflects the full range of ideas that shaped modern India," Sirwal said.