NEW DELHI: In a rebuff to the government, Jawaharlal Nehru University's Academic Council has rejected a proposal for introducing short-term courses in `Indian Culture' and `Yoga' for propagating spiritual and mythological traditions and establishing Indian values in the world. The proposal was mooted by the varsity administration following communications from UGC and the HRD ministry .

However, the varsity's Academic Council (AC), which is the top decision making body , rejected the proposal at a meeting last Friday .

The proposal to introduce three short-term courses came against the backdrop of right-wing organisations, including BJP's ideological mentor RSS, insisting on propagation of culture in educational campuses to promote India's rich heritage and restore its cultural identity.

“The proposal was placed before the Academic Council along with the feedback received from various departments. The council unanimously resolved to reject it,“ said a council member.

The rejection comes at a time when the government, especially the HRD ministry, is being accused of making attempts to saffronise education in the country. PTI