Delhi University Rejects Proposal to Include ‘Manusmriti’ in LLB Curriculum

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th July. Delhi University’s Vice-Chancellor, Yogesh Singh, announced on Thursday the rejection of a proposal to incorporate ‘Manusmriti’ into the LLB curriculum. The decision follows widespread criticism from faculty members and concerns over the controversial content of the ancient Hindu legal text.

The Faculty of Law had previously submitted a proposal suggesting amendments to the Jurisprudence paper for first and third-year LLB students, which included readings from ‘Manusmriti.’ However, Vice-Chancellor Singh clarified in a video message that both the proposed readings and amendments have been dismissed outright. “Students will not be taught anything of this sort,” he affirmed.

The rejection comes amidst strong opposition from the university’s academic community, notably from the Social Democratic Teachers Front (SDTF), a left-leaning group of teachers. The SDTF vehemently objected to the proposal, citing ‘Manusmriti’s’ perceived endorsement of regressive views, particularly concerning women’s and marginalized communities’ rights.

In a letter to Vice-Chancellor Singh, SDTF representatives emphasized that ‘Manusmriti’ contradicts the principles of equality and progressive education enshrined in the Indian Constitution. “The text opposes women’s education and equal rights in several sections. Introducing any part of it goes against the basic structure of the Constitution,” the letter argued.

The SDTF urged the university administration to withdraw the proposal immediately and prevent its approval in the upcoming Academic Council meeting. They also requested the Vice-Chancellor to instruct the law faculty to maintain the current syllabus for the Jurisprudence paper without any amendments.