Delhi University Rejects Proposal To Include 'Manusmriti' In LLB Syllabus Amid Controversy

Delhi University: The Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University confirmed that the proposal to include Manusmriti in the LLB curriculum has been rejected.

Delhi University: Following reports of a proposal to teach 'Manusmriti' to LLB students at Delhi University, Vice-Chancellor Prof Yogesh Singh on Thursday announced that the proposal to include 'Manusmriti' in the LLB curriculum has been rejected. According to news agency ANI, Yogesh Singh assured that 'Manusmriti' would not be included in the curriculum. The Faculty of Law had suggested changes to the Jurisprudence paper to include readings on 'Manusmriti,' but the university's administration ultimately dismissed this proposal.

Amid the row over the proposal, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said there is no question of including any controversial portion of any script in the curriculum.

The recommendation was met with criticism from the Social Democratic Teachers Front (SDTF), backed by the Left, who argued that the text’s discriminatory perspectives contradict the constitutional principles taught in DU’s law syllabus.

SDTF, in their objection, wrote to Vice-Chancellor Singh, highlighting the problematic nature of 'Manusmriti.' They stated that the text is fundamentally against the principles of equality and progressive education. “In several sections, 'Manusmriti' opposes women's education and equal rights. Introducing any part of it contradicts the Constitution’s basic structure,” the letter argued.

"Yesterday, some information came to us, that Manusmriti will be part of Law Faculty course (in DU). I inquired and talked to Delhi University Vice Chancellor. He assured me that some law faculty member have proposed some changes in the jurisprudence chapter. But when the proposal came to Delhi University administration...today, there is Academic Council meeting," Prof Yogesh Singh said.

"There is no endorsement of any such proposal in the authentic body of Academic Council. Yesterday itself, Vice Chancellor rejected that proposal. We all our committed to our Constitution, to futuristic approach. Government is committed to upholding the true spirit and letter of Constitution. There is no question of including any controversial portion of any script," Singh added. 

SDTF had requested the vice-chancellor to instruct the law faculty and the concerned staff members to continue teaching the paper jurisprudence based on the existing syllabus and not include 'Manusmriti' in their curriculum.

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