Am honoured DU added my books to their course. Literature is about being open minded, reading the classics as well as the contemporary: Chetan Bhagat
Delhi University (DU) English literature students will soon be reading popular writer Chetan Bhagat's novel as part of their syllabus. Bhagat's 'Five Point Someone' has been included in the syllabus of popular fiction paper in general elective from the upcoming session, which is being offered to second-year undergraduate students pursuing either Honours or programme courses under the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS).
Though taught by the English Department teachers, the paper won't be offered to BA English (H) students.
Other popular literature offered under this paper include American novelist Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women', Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express', and JK Rawling's 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone'.
"Am honoured DU added my books to their course. Literature is about being open minded, reading the classics as well as the contemporary," Bhagat said in a series of tweets on Monday, the World Book Day.
He was, however, trolled by twitterati. While some called it the worst of decision the varsity could have taken, other called Bhagat's work "cheap literature". Giving it back to trollers, Bhagat tweeted: "Elitistaan theories trying to diss me and literary value of my books have failed miserably with DU adding my books to their course. Sorry."
"To me, good literature is writing that actually touches people, whether in the past or now. It isn't something an elitist club decides," Bhagat said. "I wrote a book. Many say it changed the Indian literary landscape. But elitists have a problem and label it communal," he added.
The book was included in the syllabus of popular fiction paper on the recommendation of CBCS core committee of the English Department. The two-year-old CBCS system allows students to study elective subjects from different courses.
Copies of this modified syllabus, which was announced on Friday, have been sent to all the colleges for approval. The colleges have been asked to give feedback by May 1, following which it will be approved by the Academic and Executive Councils of the varsity before being included in the syllabus.
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