Interest in Gandhian Studies dwindles in many State universities in Karnataka

Academic activities at the Centre for Gandhian Studies on Bangalore University’s Jnanabharathi campus have come to a halt due to a lack of student interest, funding issues and other reasons. The university discontinued the diploma and certificate courses offered by the centre about five years ago as there were not many takers.

With some exceptions, this appears to be the scenario in other State-run universities too.

History of the centre

The foundation stone of the Centre for Gandhian Studies at Bangalore University was laid by former President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on December 8, 1965.

Earlier, the Centre used to offer a one-year diploma and a six-month certificate course in Gandhian Thought. However, over the past few years, enrolments had dwindled. Besides, there were allegations that some students were using the centre only to secure hostel accommodation and access other university benefits.

“Conducting classes became difficult, leading to the discontinuation of the courses during the tenure of the Centre’s previous director,” said B.N. Shreekeerthi, director of the Centre. A lack of funds has also been cited as a major reason affecting its activities.

“While we portray Gandhiji as a historical figure, we fail to put his principles and ideology into actual practice in the present context. This has been a major setback in attracting the youth to Gandhian thought,” he added. Steps are now being taken to launch a diploma course in Gandhian Philosophy and Contemporary Leadership at Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University. “Our Centre is also planning to introduce diploma courses,” he said.

No permanent faculty

The situation is not very different at Karnatak University’s Department of Gandhian Studies, established in 1976 and once known for its distinguished alumni. The Dean of Social Sciences now heads the department, as there is no permanent faculty member to lead it.

Karnatak University currently offers a PG diploma course and an OEC (Open Elective Course). Classes are handled by adjunct professor Shivanand Shettar, who retired as chairman a few years ago, and guest faculty member Siddu Bashetti.

The department earlier had an intake of 60 students, which has now come down to 20. Admissions have also fallen to five this year from 10 last year. For the OEC, 47 students from different departments have enrolled.

“It is not just Gandhian Studies. Most departments offering PG diploma courses have witnessed low admissions over the last three years. Earlier, the fee was just ₹570 as concessions were offered. But now students have to pay over ₹10,000, while those from outside the university have to pay ₹15,000,” said Mr. Bashetti, who has been working in the department as a guest faculty member for the past 21 years.

According to him, the opening of PG centres in colleges and a shift in focus towards competitive examinations are also reasons for the decreasing interest.

Better scenario

In contrast, the Gandhian Studies courses offered by the University of Mysore (UoM) continue to attract students, even after the bifurcation of the university and the restriction of its jurisdiction to Mysuru district.

A majority of the students enrolled at the Centre for Gandhian Studies come from rural backgrounds and are interested in working in rural development and the NGO sector, according to Gandhi Bhavan.

Gandhi Bhavan offers an MA in Peace and Conflict Resolution and a Diploma in Gandhian Studies, besides a doctoral programme in Gandhian Studies.

Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. Narendra Kumar said the MA course currently has 17 students against an intake of 25, while all 19 seats in the diploma course have been filled. The centre also has nine research scholars receiving fellowships, while three others are pursuing research without fellowships.

“Though we are short of students for the MA course, enrolment is reasonably good as there has been a drop in student strength on the campus following the bifurcation of the university,” he said.

Prof. Kumar said the university had in the past requested the State government to consider students of Gandhi Bhavan for employment opportunities in departments such as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Women and Child Development.