AMU drops two works of Islamic authors, starts course on Sanatan Dharma

The Aligarh Muslim University has removed the works of 20th Century Islamic authors Abul Ala al-Maududi and Sayyid Qutub from the syllabus of Islamic Studies Department following claims that the content is objectionable, while starting a course on Sanatan Dharma.

A PTI report said about 20 scholars had recently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi complaining about the inclusion of the work of the two authors in the syllabus. The decision to drop the texts, which the protesting scholars said propagated radical political Islam, was taken on Monday, a senior AMU official said.

Regarding the inclusion of the course on Sanatan dharma, AMU spokesperson Umar Salim Peerzada said the university in an inclusive one with students of all religions coming to the institution and hence, the move. “AMU is an inclusive university with students of all religions coming here. We've thus started a 'Sanatan dharma studies' course in the department of Islamic studies in MA,” Peerzada was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.