GGSIPU LLB: Mandatory ‘communal’ question asked in end term exam

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 17 : In a world full of questions that an educational institution could ever ask, the third semester students of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) were to answer a peculiar question in their Law of Crimes-I end-term examination. The question reads, “Ahmed, a Muslim, kills a cow in a market in the presence of Rohit, Tushar, Manav and Rahul, who are Hindus. Has Ahmed committed any offence?”

Another surprising fact in this GGSIPU LLB third semester end-term paper was that the question figured out in the Part A, apparently making it mandatory to be attempted by all the candidates. Secondly, the GGSIPU LLB third semester students were required to start their end-term question paper of Law of Crimes-I subject with this very question as this was the first question. Thirdly, the word 'kills' makes the question more barbaric, even 'slaughter' would have been a something legally accepted, as a number of lawyers would advocate.

In a country like India which boasts of communal harmony, however, having conflicted notions and views, an educational institution coming up with such type of questions doesn’t suit the educational integrity. Notwithstanding, the duo community, Hindu-Muslim scenario in the country is already in a catch-22 situation.

The controversial 5-mark ‘communal question’ itself puts a question on the intentions to catechize such a question. Despite the sensitivity which the country is going through including Ram Mandir, Babri Masjid, Beefs, etc, and knowingly that this type of question may offend both the religious communities, it appeared in the end-term examination as a ‘mandatory’ one.

The question appeared in the end-term examination of one of the affiliated colleges under the GGSIPU, Chandra Prabhu Jain (CPJ) College of Higher Studies and School of Law located at Narela. The College Principal, Neeta Beri was quoted saying, “I was not aware of this paper as I have been on leave, but I don’t think I need to raise a voice against this. It’s a question of law. Any situation can arise, and the court can be asked to take a decision on the same.” She also added that she did not feel the need to take up the matter with the authorities.

The University officials, however, regretted the matter calling it an ‘error’. Satnam Singh, the GGSIPU Registrar was quoted saying, “You cannot connect anything to any religion. Of course it is bad. We do regret the question, and as of now the question stands deleted. No marks will be given for it, either for those who have attempted or for those who have not attempted. In future, we will also give an advisory to the examiners, that such questions should not be asked.”

After the twitterati posted this question on their tweets, it caught the attention of the Delhi Education Minister who censured the question saying the matter will be probed. “It is very bizarre and seems to be an attempt to disturb the harmony of society. We won’t tolerate such misconduct. I am ordering an inquiry, and if found true, strongest action will be taken,” Sisodia said.

Later on, an official at GGSIPU’s examination department commented that the question papers are drafted in utmost confidentiality. Without revealing the examiner’s name, the GGSIPU examination department official said, “Questions are being asked on the basis of what is happening in society. It’s a good thing to ask students such questions so that they can correlate legal provision with the facts of the society. It has to be seen only from the academic perspective.”

Certainly, these kind of comments again put an intentional angle on the mind-set of such institutions.

One of the Supreme Court advocates, Bilal Anwar had tweeted the question, tagging the GGSIPU college. His tweet read, “Here is a new normal, De-humanising an entire community, A Law College at Narela, NCR’s Third Semester Question Paper [sic]”