Delhi University To Introduce Manusmriti In Undergraduate Programmme

The Delhi University (DU) Faculty of Law is aiming to introduce the Manusmriti, or ancient legal text, or ‘dharmashastra’ of Hinduism, in its undergraduate programme. It plans to include the ancient Sanskrit text under the paper called “Jurisprudence (Legal Method)”. However, the move has caused a certain section of the faculty members at the university to raise alarm.

The draft of the revised syllabus will be submitted before DU‘s Academic Council for Academic Matters on Friday. Following the passing of the document, it will get implemented in the upcoming academic session in August.

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The Manusmriti with the Manubhasya of Medhatithi by GN Jha will be included as a suggested reading under Unit V-Analytical Positivism of the undergraduate course paper in Bachelor of Laws or Legum Baccalaureus or LLB in Semester 1.

Professor Anju Vali Tikoo, Dean, Faculty of Law told The Indian Express: “The Manusmriti has been introduced in line with the NEP 2020 to introduce Indian perspectives into learning. The unit under which it has been introduced in itself is an analytical unit. Hence, in order to bring in more perspective for the student to compare and understand analytical positivism, this step has been taken.”

Opposing the move, the Social Democratic Teachers Front on Wednesday wrote to Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, DU pointing that introducing Manusmriti under suggested readings is “highly objectionable” as the text is detrimental to the advancement and education of women and marginalised communities.

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“In Manusmriti, in several sections, it opposed women’s education and equal rights. Introduction of any section or part of Manusmriti is against the basic structure of our Constitution and principles of Indian Constitution,” The Indian Express reports as the Social Democratic Teachers Front is saying.

Besides, the Faculty of Law is considering the addition of three news courses on the three new criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which came into effect on July 1.