Varanasi: A question in the MA Semester IV examination for “Women in Modern Indian Society (1950)” conducted by the History Department of Banaras Hindu University on May 16 asked: “What do you understand by the term Brahmanical Patriarchy? Discuss how Brahmanical patriarchy impeded the progress of women in ancient India.”While examiners will evaluate how students responded to the question, it has already sparked widespread debate, with many calling for greater sensitivity and neutrality in the framing of question papers, particularly in subjects dealing with ancient Indian history and social structures.As the questions from the May 16 examination paper went viral on social media, people both inside and outside Banaras Hindu University began voicing their opinions on the issue. The 70-mark, three-hour paper was divided into three sections: optional questions, short-answer questions, and long-answer questions.“It is a deliberate effort to hit Brahmins, the flag-bearers of the Sanatan traditions, by those left-wing ideologues, who are completely departed from governance and power, but their supporters are still seated in educational institutions. Same elements are getting the opportunity to ask such questions, which disrupt social equality and divide it based on castes,” said Akhil Bharatiya Manishee Parishad general secretary Diwakar Dwivedi.Shri Kashi Vidwat Parishad president Padma Bhushan Acharya Vashisht Tripathi said, “Our Dharm Shastras do not contain patriarchal or Brahmanical disputes. Women’s power has been given a high place in the Shastras and Puranas. Even in the Vedic Shastras, power is not prominently mentioned. But when such questions are raised from major educational institutions, divisive situations arise in society and it appears to be an attempt to target a particular class, which is unjust.”Apart from the question on Brahmanical Patriarchy, the tone of the other question, “With suitable examples, discuss the development of women’s organisations in Colonial India. What type of different educational avenues were opened up for Indian women in the colonial period? How far was this effective in breaking the private-public dichotomy for them?”, is also being raised by these scholars.“Asking such questions is baseless and unethical, reflecting the weakness of the education system. Gargi, Katyayani, Maitreyani and other Rishi daughters and mothers have made significant contributions to the development of women in Indian society. Women’s power, Shakti, has always stepped forward to protect Indian identity. They have been worshipped as the presiding deity of knowledge and society, and have also wielded the sword to protect the nation. Their role in employment generation has also been significant,” said the SKVP veteran.Vishwa Hindu Parishad city president Rajesh Mishra questioned where the maker of the question had studied that the patriarchy was instituted by Brahmins.At a time when the political climate is already heated over the terms “Brahmin” and “Brahmanical”, the controversy surrounding the history question paper at Banaras Hindu University has put the university administration on the defensive.In a clarification, the varsity said, “The university administration has taken cognizance of the question asked in the context of women’s history in the 4th semester examination of MA (History). It is clarified that this question has been asked within the prescribed syllabus of the ‘Women in Modern Indian History’ paper.”“To enhance knowledge and analytical ability in any subject, students are expected to be aware of the various aspects and contexts of topics mentioned in the syllabus. Academic debate and diversity of perspectives on any concept included in the syllabus is possible. In this process, students are also provided suggestions for reading material, so that they can develop a comprehensive understanding of various perspectives on the subject. The same thought is inherent in the questions asked in question papers as well. Therefore, questions asked in semester examinations should be viewed in an academic context,” it added.Asked whether any process of screening the questions before the exam question paper finally goes to print is followed, the authorities concerned said some cross-checks are done. But, much people can’t be involved in this process due to confidentiality.
