On Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University announced that the proposed amendments to the Faculty of Law’s syllabus, which included readings from the Manusmriti, have been dismissed.
this decision was made after After the Social Democratic Teachers’ Front (SDTF) raised concerns, labeling the suggested readings as “regressive” and contrary to the core principles of the Indian Constitution in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of DU, the decision was made.
The Faculty of Law’s undergraduate Jurisprudence course syllabus proposed including two readings from the ‘Manusmriti’: ‘Manusmriti With the ‘Manubhasya’ of Medhatithi by G.N. Jha’ and ‘Commentary of ManuSmriiti – Smritichandrika by T. Kristnaswami Iyer.’
SDTF Chairman SK Sagar demanded that the text of Manusmriti be removed from the syllabus, arguing that its inclusion would divide students and promote ideas contrary to women’s education and marginalized communities.
However, a Faculty of Law professor and member of the Academic Council at DU appreciated the proposal to include Manusmriti in the syllabus, noting that it introduced the teachings of Indian thinkers where none had been included before.
Delhi University’s Faculty of Law has suggested updates to its syllabus, particularly concerning new criminal laws and Indian jurisprudence, which will be presented for approval at the Academic Council meeting on Friday, July 12th.
Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh mentioned that Delhi University had received a proposal from the Faculty of Law recommending modifications to specific courses. However, the university has rejected the proposed texts and amendments, and they will not be included in the curriculum.
A university official mentioned that despite the amendments being scheduled for discussion on Friday, the University Act grants the Vice-Chancellor authority to make decisions in the best interest of the university, students, and staff. The matter was deliberated in a meeting with the Dean of the Faculty of Law and resolved accordingly.
Several faculty members criticized the amendments as politically motivated and unnecessary.
A professor at the university argued that studying ancient texts like these would not benefit students, as India relies on a modern judicial system based on common law principles.
Professor Maya John, a member of the Academic Council, criticized the move as motivated. She pointed out that the text was selectively added, while other contemporary legal treatises from the medieval and early modern periods were missing. According to her, the changes in both Jurisprudence papers are politically motivated and do not hold academic merit.
Manusmriti is an ancient Hindu legal text or ‘dharmashastra’ that outlines the social structure dating back to the Aryans. It portrays a social system designed by the Aryans to maintain their dominance, wealth, and power.
According to Manusmriti, women and Shudras were subjected to similar discriminatory treatment. While Manusmriti praised women as bearers and nurturers of children, it placed them in a subordinate position to men in all aspects of life. Women had no access to education or any activities outside their households.
India’s rich diversity also unfortunately provides grounds for discrimination and exploitation of minorities through texts like Manusmriti, which are anti-feminist and casteist. It’s crucial to recognize that these texts were written long ago, and our country has progressed significantly since then. While casteism and misogyny persist in our society, the Constitution provides minorities with rights to safeguard themselves. Regarding the DU case, the legal system should maintain a secular stance, free from religious influence.
