Delhi University (DU) students may soon find the History of Hindi Literature included as a mandatory option within the general elective (GE) pool across all colleges. The proposal, put forth by the Hindi department, will be reviewed during the Executive Council meeting on January 17.
The recommendation suggests adding three papers Sahitya Lochan (Literary Criticism), History of Hindi Literature Part 1, and History of Hindi Literature Part 2 to the GE options. Students from any discipline, including English, Economics, or Political Science, could choose these papers. Completing the trio of electives would allow students to earn a minor degree in Hindi alongside their major subject.
According to the Hindi department, this initiative aims to deepen students’ appreciation of Hindi literature and its cultural significance, even for those not studying it as a core subject. However, previous attempts by DU to make Hindi mandatory have faced criticism, particularly from students in non-Hindi-speaking regions, who view such policies as neglecting India’s linguistic diversity.
The outcome of this proposal, if approved, could reshape the academic structure starting in the next semester.
