Replace Afro-Asian philosophy paper with Indian traditions course, recommends DU panel

Indian Express

06-05-2025

Delhi University's Standing Committee on Academic Matters has recommended replacing the proposed Afro-Asian Philosophy paper with a course on Indian philosophical traditions in the 8th semester of BA (Hons.) Philosophy programme, The Indian Express has learnt.
The panel aims to introduce an 'Indian perspective' and reduce focus on global traditions, 'shaped by Western colonialism', as per sources.
As per the objectives stated by the department, Afro-Asian Philosophy, which is a generic elective (GE 8D), aims 'to introduce students to diverse philosophical traditions of Asian and African countries; highlight the importance of indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage in the backdrop of Western colonialism; promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding between Asian and African civilizations; and encourage students to appreciate and respect diverse philosophical perspectives.'
The recommendation, discussed by the committee last Friday, comes amid a wider curriculum overhaul across departments, as part of the National Education Policy 2020, which calls for integrating Indian knowledge systems and reviewing undergraduate course structures across disciplines.
The paper is open to final-year undergraduate students, including those from outside the Philosophy department.
Speaking to The Indian Express on condition of anonymity, an official familiar with the committee's deliberations said, 'The panel believed this is a generic elective; [these are] usually offered to students from outside the department too. So, they wanted a paper on Indian philosophy to be introduced to help students develop a basic understanding of Indian philosophical perspectives.'
'It was also pointed out that the paper on Indian philosophy is richer in tradition than the Afro-Asian course,' the official added.
It is learnt that the new course will cover the basics of classical Indian schools of philosophy, such as Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, and Purva Mimamsa, among others.
The suggestion has prompted criticism from a section of the faculty, who argued that the proposed shift undercuts the comparative and postcolonial emphasis of the existing syllabus.
'Why would someone want to teach the basics of Indian philosophy in the eighth semester?' said a faculty member, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'There are already several courses in the earlier semesters that cover these foundational schools. The point of Afro-Asian Philosophy was to allow comparative engagement and critical dialogue across global traditions — this change diminishes that aim.'
Structured over four units, the syllabus of the African-Asian Philosophy course introduces students to Indian, Chinese, Japanese, African, and Arabic philosophical traditions.
Authors featured include P T Raju, Tsenay Serequeberhan, Karl Potter, Kwasi Wiredu, and Samuel Oluoch Imbo. Students explore how colonial histories shaped these philosophies, and students are encouraged to 'develop broader and more inclusive understanding of global philosophical thought,' as per the course outcomes.
Several faculty members described the committee's recommendation as part of a trend toward curricular narrowing, with an overemphasis on repetition of Indian philosophy and Indian perspectives across syllabi.
The Indian Express reached out to Enakshi Mitra, Head of the Department of Philosophy, who declined to comment.
The proposal will be tabled before the Academic Council in the coming weeks, where a final decision is expected.