Muhammad Iqbal composed 'Sare Jahan Se Acha' but never believed in it: DU Vice-Chancellor

After Delhi University’s Academic Council dropped a chapter on renowned Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal from its political science syllabus, Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Tuesday said the poet is remembered for his composition ‘Sare Jahan Se Achha...’ but he never believed in those words.

After Delhi University's Academic Council dropped a chapter on renowned Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal from its political science syllabus, Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on May 30 said the poet is remembered for his composition 'Sare Jahan Se Achha...' but he never believed in those words.

Mr. Singh's remark followed shortly after the national poet of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal alias Muhammad Iqbal, was dropped from the Political Science syllabus during a discussion on the undergraduate course in the 1014th Academic Council meeting of Delhi University.

Speaking to ANI, the Vice-Chancellor said, "I don't know why we were teaching his [Muhammad Iqbal's] part in the syllabus for the past 75 years. I agree that he served India by composing the popular song 'Sare Jahan Se Acha' but never believed in that."

Earlier, on Friday, Mr. Singh presided over the meeting of the Academic Council, saying that those who laid the foundation to break India should not be included in the varsity's syllabus.

"Iqbal wrote songs supporting the 'Muslim League' and the 'Pakistan Movement'. He was the first to raise the idea of the partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan. Instead of teaching our students about such people, we should impart lessons on our national heroes," the Vice-Chancellor said.

Further, according to an official statement, the Vice-Chancellor's proposal was unanimously passed by the House. In the meeting, the syllabus for the fourth, fifth and sixth semesters of various courses under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022 was passed.

The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised the teachings of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and many more luminaries.