Delhi University faces backlash amid proposal to teach ‘Manusmriti’ to law students, eventually backs out

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India’s reputed Delhi University found itself in trouble after the Faculty of Law suggested teaching the ancient Hindu legal text ‘Manusmriti’ to the LLB students. 

The Faculty of Law submitted a proposal to include the Hindu manuscript in undergraduate courses, which led to an uproar.

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh later said that ‘Manusmriti’ will not be taught to the LLB students.

Issuing a video statement, Singh said that in the paper titled ‘Jurisprudence’, the Faculty of Law had suggested changes on Thursday (July 11) and that they suggested including readings on ‘Manusmriti’, which was rejected by the university.

“A proposal by the Faculty of Law was submitted to Delhi University administration. They had suggested changes in the paper titled Jurisprudence. One of the changes in the proposal was to include readings on Manusmriti. Delhi University has rejected both the suggested readings and the amendments proposed by the faculty. Students will not be taught (about ‘Manusmriti’),” said the Vice-Chancellor.

Proposal to teach ‘Manusmriti’ to be discussed in Academic Council

Even after the university rejected the proposal to teach ‘Manusmriti’ to LLB students, it will discussed in the university’s Academic Council meeting on Friday (July 12).

Dean of the Faculty of Law Anju Wali Tikoo said, “It is part of understanding our Indian scholars. The meaning that is being construed that it is against women’s empowerment and their education is wrong and that it is against marginalised castes is incorrect. The topic is themed as ‘analytical positivism’.”

“If we don’t understand what our ancient scriptures said and what they meant, then how can we analyse and develop an understanding of studying the course?” she added.

“The recommendations were given by the DU committee. This topic has not come all of a sudden. There were consultations of scholars, including a retired judge of a high court. There was a standing council meeting on June 25. I was a part of that meeting and no one opposed it then. Suddenly some people have woken up,” Tikoo said.

“There is no endorsement of any such proposal in the authentic body of the academic council. Yesterday itself, the vice chancellor rejected that proposal. We all are committed to our Constitution and to a futuristic approach. The government is committed to upholding the true spirit and letter of the Constitution. There is no question of including any controversial portion of any script,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)