New Delhi: The Delhi Minorities Commission has asked the registrar of Jawaharlal Nehru University to explain the reason behind the varsity's proposal to start a course on "Islamic terrorism".

The commission, which took cognisance of reports about the proposed course, issued a notice on Tuesday asking the registrar to explain on what basis the course is being started, the panel's chairperson, Zafarul Islam Khan, said.

The JNU academic council had "passed" a proposal to set up a Centre for National Security Studies, which would teach a course on "Islamic terrorism", said a professor who attended the meeting last week.

The commission has asked the JNU administration to explain if there is any concept paper or proposal to include the course in the proposed "Centre for National Security Studies", and demanded a copy.

"Has the current administration of the JNU considered the implications of introducing this subject in the campus on its students and on the broader society outside?" the commission said.

It has sought details of the proposed course, such as the areas it would cover, methodology, reference books and works to be followed and experts who would teach and research the subject.

The commission has also asked JNU to provide the minutes of the academic council meeting and the list of members who attended it.

The varsity administration has been asked to file its reply by June 5, Khan said.

Sections of teachers and students have opposed the proposed course.

"In a deeply problematic and shocking move, the JNU V-C also allowed the tabling of a courseopic on 'Islamic terrorism' under the Centre for National Security Studies," JNU Students Union president Geeta Kumari had said. PTI