New Delhi- Delhi University (DU) has revoked its decision to introduce excerpts from Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu legal text, into the syllabus of its Law Faculty following strong objections from various quarters, including political leaders and academic groups.

The DU Law Faculty had proposed amendments to its syllabus for first and third-year students to include sections from Manusmriti, a move aimed at enhancing students' understanding of Hindu jurisprudence and cultural heritage.

The Law Faculty had sought approval from the university's governing body to amend its syllabus to include 'Manusmriti' for students in their first and third years.

According to the amendments, the proposal included two sections on Manusmriti - one with commentary by G.N. Jha in his 'Medhatithi' and another with comments by T. Krishnaswami Ayyar in 'Smritichandrika' - aimed at students. The decision to propose these amendments was unanimously approved during the Faculty Curriculum Committee meeting held on June 24, chaired by the Dean of the Faculty, Anju Walia Tikoo.

However, the proposal faced immediate criticism, with several faculty members and academic bodies opposing it on grounds of its perceived discriminatory content towards women and marginalized communities.

The controversy escalated ahead of a scheduled academic council meeting on Friday, where the proposal was set for discussion.

Prior to the meeting, the Social Democratic Teachers' Front (SDTF) penned a letter to DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, vehemently opposing the inclusion of Manusmriti in the curriculum.

SDTF argued that teaching Manusmriti would propagate regressive views contrary to the progressive educational framework envisioned by the Indian Constitution.

On Thursday, MP Jairam Ramesh, a senior leader from the Congress party, also criticized the proposal, labelling it as part of a broader agenda to undermine India's constitutional values and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's legacy. Ramesh took to social media to express his dismay, stating, "This is all part of the salami tactics of the non-biological PM to bring fulfilment to the decades-long attempt by the RSS to assault the Constitution and Dr. Ambedkar's legacy. In its issue dated November 30 1949, the RSS mouthpiece Organiser had stated: “The worst about the new Constitution of Bharat is that there is nothing Bharatiya about it. The drafters of the constitution have incorporated in it elements of British, American, Canadian, Swiss and sundry other Constitutions. But there is no trace of ancient Bharatiya constitutional laws, institutions, nomenclature and phraseology in it…in our Constitution, there is no mention of the unique constitutional development in ancient Bharat. Manu’s Laws were written long before Lycurgus of Sparta or Solon of Persia. To this day, his laws as enunciated in the Manusmriti, excite the admiration of the world and elicit spontaneous obedience and conformity. But to our constitutional pundits that means nothing.”

In response to mounting criticism and protests, Delhi University's administration swiftly decided to withdraw the proposal from consideration during the academic council meeting. DU Vice-Chancellor, Yogesh Singh, confirmed the decision, emphasizing that the inclusion of Manusmriti in the undergraduate law course curriculum has been dismissed.

BSP Chief Mayawati Welcomes Decision to Withdraw Manusmriti Teaching Proposal

BSP Supremo and Former CM of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati voiced strong approval for Delhi University's decision to withdraw the proposal to teach Manusmriti in its Law Department.

In a statement released on social media platform X, she emphasized that the proposal to introduce Manusmriti in the curriculum of Delhi University's Law Department was inherently contradictory to the principles of dignity, respect, and inclusive objectives enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

She welcomed the university's decision to cancel the proposal, stating that it was a commendable step against proposals that oppose humanism and secularism, which are central to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's vision of upholding the dignity and self-respect of marginalized communities and women.

Mayawati further highlighted that such attempts are entirely inappropriate, as they do not align with the foundational structure of the Indian Constitution.

Why Did Babasaheb Burn Manusmriti?

The controversy stemmed from Manusmriti's historical and contentious significance within Hindu jurisprudence. Manusmriti, also known as the Laws of Manu, is an ancient Hindu text that delves into matters of law, ethics, and social hierarchy.

Advocates of its inclusion argued that studying it alongside commentaries by prominent scholars could enrich students' understanding of legal history and cultural context.

However, critics, including social and academic groups, vehemently opposed the move, citing Manusmriti's perceived discriminatory content towards women and marginalized communities.

Dalits in India, observe 25 December every year as Manusmriti's combustion day. On December 25, 1927, Dr. Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar openly burned Manusmriti. 

Dr Krishan Kumar, a Haryana based scholar specializing in Dalits and Marginalized Studies, says , " Babasaheb did not dishonor a book; instead, the burning of Manusmriti condemned the justification of the social hierarchy in Indian society based on birth and caste identity. Manu categorized Indian society into Chaturvarna, the ideal form as per him, which Babasaheb vehemently rejected. His arguments questioned the viability of such a societal structure, highlighting the folly and criminality of assigning education, arms, trade, and service to specific classes."