DMC Issues Suo Motu to JNU Administration Over a Course on “Islamic Terror”

Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) Chairman, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan has issued a suo motu notice to the registrar of JNU to explain – on what basis a course on “Islamic Terror” is being launched by the university. Press reports said that the decision to introduce such a course by the JNU administration has been taken despite opposition from many members of the Academic Council (AC) of the university.

Speaking to Newsclick, Zafarul-Islam said that the JNU administration is bringing politics into academics and that if the students are asked to write papers on 'Islamic Terrorism', it will disturb the atmosphere of campus and country as well. 

Khan also said that this is a trick of the people with Sanghi (that of RSS) mindset only to defame Muslims and to keep the community on the back foot. “Same pattern they used to follow during former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, but later they kept silent,” he said. 

Khan added that if DMC doesn't get any response, he will send a reminder to them and if this doesn't work, will summon. 

In the formal notice, DMC has asked JNU administration to reply to the following queries:

“Is there any concept paper or proposal to include a course on “Islamic Terror” in the proposed “Centre for National Security Studies”? If so, please provide a copy;

Is the subject of “Islamic Terror” being taught in any Indian or foreign university, if so, please provide details;

What areas are to be covered under this subject and what are (a) the sources, (b) methodology, (c) reference books/works/studies to be followed, and (d) who are the main experts who will take part in the implementation, research and teaching of this subject?;

Has the current administration of JNU considered the implications of introducing this subject in the campus, on its students and on the broader society outside? If so, please provide a copy of any such assessment note prepared on this subject;

Please provide a full list of the members of the Academic Council of JNU marking those who were present during the meeting where the above proposal was adopted;

Since there is report that “many members” of the Academic Council objected to the introduction of this subject, was there any voting and if so what was the result; and

Please provide a copy of the minutes of the said meeting where the subject was discussed and approved.”

JNU administration has been asked to file its reply to these questions by June 5.