Questions On Padmavati, Triple Talaq, Halala In BHU History Exam
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in this semester has set a rigorous exam paper for students, it seems. After the much talked about '
GST in Kautilya Arthshastra' and 'Manu is the first Indian Thinker of Globalisation' questions in MA Political Science first semester question paper; now MA History students now have been asked questions related to Rani Padmavati's Johar, triple talaq and halala. The protagonist of 16th century poem, Rani Padmavati, has been a subject of controversy since past few months over the release of a Bollywood movie, in the same name.
Also Read: Kerala Finance Minister's Response To BHU Questions'What do you mean by Johar tradition? Describe Rani Padmavati's Johar in the period of Allaudin Khilji?' was the question asked and it carried a total of 10 marks.
The issues over the queen Padmini and the Bollywood movie made upon it have been hitting the headlines every now and then.
The exam paper also carried a question on triple talaq and halala: ' Discuss about Teen Talaq and Halala as a social evil in Islam.'
Similar to the plight of Political Science students, those with affiliated colleges had problem in answering the questions which were based on the present day raging controversies; whereas students in the University campus claim that the topics in context to the current issues had been discussed by the Professors during the class.
Clarifying about the questions set with more inclination towards modern day issues than medieval context, former head of the History Department and Professor of Ancient Indian History, Binda Paranjape told the Indian Express that, 'Usually, the professor who teaches his area of specialisation is the one who sets the paper. The paper is then vetted by a moderation board comprising other professors. Though I am not an expert on medieval history, being the former HoD and the senior most teacher in the history department, I have never seen such questions from medieval history being set - especially the one on (nikah) halala that has more recent origins. The moderation board should have checked these.'
In response to the questions set, Assistant Professor Rajiv Srivastava said, 'such issues automatically become a part of the syllabus when you teach medieval history and history of Islam.' Justifying the questions to be relevant he also said, 'If students aren't taught & asked such things how will they know about it? When they're taught medieval history these things automatically become a part of it. History has been distorted, we need to teach things to them to know real history'
On the other hand students allege that, 'University administration is trying to impose ideology on students in the pretext of such questions.'
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