Seeking answers

Ranchi, May 6: Books by known historians that have been referred for the Ranchi University (RU) postgraduation course are now being reviewed. Also, a method to moderate question papers is underway.

A five-member committee led by principal secretary to the Governor, regarded historians Philip K. Hitti, Amir Alia as non-controversial authors on Islamic history and said they were part of the reference list in RU’s post-graduate syllabi. Several other authors have also been referred by the department.

The exercise was part of the enquiry that followed use of “objectionable” words regarding Prophet Muhammad in the history exam on April 30, which was subsequently cancelled. The question that — Prophet Muhammad began his career as a trader and ended as a raider, comment — invited wrath from sections of the Muslim populace in the city. The Raj Bhavan had also taken strong exception to it.

But sources said that the enquiry team’s focus has now shifted from the main issue to the ways of changing the exam pattern to avoid “communal” problems. It has asked RU officials to provide details on a 24-point questionnaire regarding the existing examination method — syllabi, reference books, system of scanning papers — by May 8.

Meanwhile, varsity sources said they are oblivious about the method of setting questions, as the matter never cropped up in the examination board, which is mandatory under the Jharkhand State Universities Act.

The examination board comprises vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, registrar, dean of humanities, social science, science and commerce and controller of examination among others. But in case of post-graduate examinations it is between vice-chancellor and controller of examination that things are decided “to maintain secrecy”.

Contrary to this, in under-graduate examinations, post-graduate department heads are told to appoint paper-setters as well as evaluators. Interestingly, in case of post-graduate papers there is no way of moderating the questions set. Manuscripts of the set question paper are directly sent to the press for printing.

“Therefore, we request the concerned teacher to take care to see that the questions are within the prescribed syllabi and the general instructions are clearly mentioned,” said RU’s controller of examination Anil Kumar Mahto.