Concern Over Proposed Legal Provisions That May Narrow the Scope of Nepal Sanskrit University
Kathmandu — Concern has been expressed that the state, political leadership, and society hold a superficial view of Nepal Sanskrit University, and that the same narrow understanding is reflected in the proposed provisions related to the Nepal Sanskrit University Act, 2083.
It has been pointed out that Sanskrit education is often understood in a limited way, as merely the study of language, a field that produces pandits and priests to perform rituals, or astrology limited to reading horoscopes. It has also been stated publicly that the parties involved in drafting the bill have not been able to fully internalize the breadth of Sanskrit literature and knowledge tradition.
Broad Scope of Sanskrit and Lack of Understanding
Sanskrit literature and knowledge tradition is not limited only to religious or ritual subjects. It is a comprehensive body of knowledge tradition related to life and the world. It includes various subjects such as grammar, literature, history and Puranas, Nyaya, philosophy, astrology, Veda, Vedanta, Dharmashastra, Buddhist philosophy, Sarvadarshan, political science, economics, linguistics, mathematics, Ayurveda, medicine, architecture, and yoga.
However, it has been pointed out that society has not adequately understood this broad knowledge tradition. Since the university itself has also been unable to present its overall dimensions effectively, a one-sided perception of Sanskrit education has been established in society.
Serious Questions Over the Terminology Used in the Act
It has been pointed out that the terminology used in the amendments made by the Government of Nepal through an ordinance to university-related acts and in the proposed provisions carries the risk of weakening the core character and inclusive academic structure of the university.
In particular, it has been stated that the term “Sanskrit language or literature” used in the provisions related to the qualifications of the recommendation committee under the proposed Section 16A(1) for the selection of university office-bearers, as well as the qualification provisions for the vice chancellor and rector under Section 17A and the registrar under Section 18A, does not cover the entire field of Sanskrit knowledge tradition.
Risk of Professors Being Deprived of Opportunities
According to the university’s academic structure, three types of subjects are being conducted: classical, modern, and applied. Under modern subjects, Nepali, English, Maithili, economics, political science, mathematics, and education are included, while applied subjects include yoga, naturopathy, Ayurveda, and architecture. Even when a PhD is pursued in any of these subjects, the research base is Sanskrit literature and knowledge tradition.
However, it has been mentioned that the use of the limited term “Sanskrit language or literature” in the Act could create a situation in which experienced human resources and competent professors working in modern and applied subjects at the university are deprived of opportunities to become office-bearers.
It has been argued that creating a possibility of excluding some groups from the mainstream by dividing them on the basis of subjects would not be a suitable arrangement for a democratic country.
Suggestion to Use the Term “Sanskrit Vangmaya”
To prevent any legal ambiguity or interpretative dispute in the future, the need has been pointed out to use the term “Sanskrit Vangmaya” instead of “Sanskrit language or literature” in the Act. This term has been described as more appropriate, inclusive, and consistent with the university’s actual academic character.
It would equally cover all classical, modern, and applied subjects related to Sanskrit and help keep the entire human resource base in the mainstream.
The preamble of the university’s Act has the objective of systematically developing Sanskrit education up to the highest level by connecting traditional knowledge with modern education, research, science, technology, and management, and producing human resources dedicated to the nation.
Attention has been drawn to the need to use terminology with a clear definition that covers the multidimensional knowledge tradition in the Act in order to fulfill the institution’s long-term objective and preserve its original identity.
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