Romila Thapar Criticizes Decline in Indian Social Sciences: A Call for Academic Integrity

Renowned historian Romila Thapar has voiced her concerns about the deteriorating academic standards at Jawaharlal Nehru University and other leading social science institutions in India. Speaking at the Kapila Vatsyayan Memorial Lecture, Thapar highlighted the changes observed over the past decade, noting how political interferences have hindered intellectual creativity.

Thapar underscored the challenges faced by these institutions, pointing to the appointment of inadequately qualified faculty, the influence of non-professionals on curricula, and restrictions on academic freedom. She linked these issues to broader political tendencies towards anti-intellectualism, citing the arrest of students and the manipulation of history education as examples of this trend.

In a strong critique of current history education methods, Thapar condemned the return to colonial theories and questioned the Hindutva interpretation of history. She asserted the need for a reliable and accurate teaching of history, highlighted the importance of trained educators, and called for an educational environment that encourages critical thinking.