Delhi University rejects proposal to teach controversial Manusmriti text in law curriculum

The plan to teach law students the ancient Hindu legal treatise “Manusmriti” has been rejected by Delhi University. The university’s top decision-making body was consulted by the Faculty of Law when it revised the first- and third-year LLB student curriculum to incorporate readings on the controversial Manusmriti text. The texts “Manusmriti with the Manubhasya of Medhatithi” by G.N. Jha and “Commentary of Manu Smriti – Smritichandrika” by T. Kristnasawmi Iyer were among those whose revisions were suggested.

Anju Vali Tikoo, the dean of the Faculty of Law, defended the inclusion by saying that it had “nothing to do with Hindus, Hindutva, or Hinduism” and was “all about bringing in a critical comparative perspective”.

Inclusion of Manusmriti in Curriculum Rejected

Tikoo asserted that the inclusion of the Manusmriti will enable students to “compare and understand analytical positivism,” in keeping with the National Education Policy 2020’s goal of incorporating Indian perspectives into the curriculum. 

Vice-Chancellor’s Decision

Yogesh Singh, the vice-chancellor of Delhi University, has emphasized that the recommendations have been turned down and that the Manusmriti would not be taught to students. Strong opposition to the decision was expressed by several groups, including the Social Democratic Teachers’ Front (SDTF), which is supported by the Left.

In a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, the SDTF claimed that the text opposed a “progressive education system” and promoted a “regressive” viewpoint regarding the rights of women and marginalized communities. 

The Manusmriti contradicts the equality and welfare goals of the Indian Constitution, as well as its dignity and honour, according to BSP president Mayawati, who praised the ruling. She underlined that the language is incompatible with the ideals of the Constitution, which was drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar with an emphasis on humanism, self-respect, and self-esteem. 

Historical Influence

The ancient Hindu legal document known as the Manusmriti, or the Laws of Manu, has had a major influence on the development of Indian law. The text is nevertheless regarded as a significant historical and cultural record in India, even though its patriarchal and casteist viewpoints have generated a great deal of discussion and criticism.

In South Asia, a legal system for non-Muslims was built on the Manusmriti, which was misconstrued as a code of law during the British colonial era. The Manusmriti, on the other hand, was one of several rival Dharmashastra manuscripts and had been out of circulation for decades during India’s Islamic dominion, something that the British colonial officials were unaware of.

To stick to its aim of applying sharia for the Muslim population of South Asia, the administrators dug out the Manusmriti, which built pronouncements of positive law from the book for non-Muslims.

For those who have been fighting for a more progressive and inclusive educational system in India, the proposal to teach Manusmriti in the legal curriculum was rejected. 

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