After uproar, proposed Sanskrit text dropped from course

Following the uproar by a section of Delhi University teachers in India over a proposal by the faculty of law to introduce the ancient Sanskrit text Manusmriti into its undergraduate programme as a suggested reading, Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Thursday 11 July said the readings would be removed from the proposal before presenting it to the Academic Council, writes Vidheesha Kuntamalla for The Indian Express.

Manusmriti with the “Manubhasya of Medhatithi” by GN Jha and “Commentary of Manu Smriti-Smritichandrika” by T Krishnaswami Iyer were proposed as suggested readings under Unit V-Analytical Positivism of the undergraduate course paper in bachelor of laws in semester 1. Speaking to The Indian Express, Professor Anju Vali Tikoo, dean of the faculty of law, had said earlier in the day: “The Manusmriti has been introduced in line with the NEP [National Education Policy] 2020 to introduce Indian perspectives into learning.”

Protesting the move, the Social Democratic Teachers Front had written to the vice-chancellor on Wednesday stating: “… It has come to our knowledge that Manusmriti has been recommended to students as ‘suggested readings’, which is highly objectionable as this text is adverse to the progress and education of women and marginalised communities … Introduction of any section or part of Manusmriti is against the basic structure of our Constitution and principles of Indian Constitution.”
Full report on The Indian Express site