DU Drops Manusmriti from Sanskrit Course after Protests: What’s the Real Story?

Delhi University is once again in the news and this time it is over Manusmriti. DU has taken an official decision to drop the controversial ancient text after a new round of criticism and protests by students and teachers. What is the story behind this decision then, and what are the implications on students and the academic community?

Recently, an ancient Hindu law book, the Manusmriti, was put as suggested reading in a four-credit course named Dharmashastra Studies as part of the new Undergraduate Curriculum Framework, which was developed according to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Other classical texts, such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and Arthashastra, were also included in the course along with the Manusmriti.

The inclusion of Manusmriti in the undergraduate curriculum was not welcomed by many. This drew the objections of student groups and some instructors, primarily due to the fact that the text has been previously criticised on its opinions regarding gender and caste. There was a general opinion that the teaching of Manusmriti might be interpreted as propaganda of backward and exclusionary beliefs. The text has stirred controversy at Delhi University before as well. There had been earlier plans to introduce the text in the curriculum which had to be withdrawn following protests.

After the protest against the addition of this dharmashasta recently, the university administration responded to the outcry promptly. The statement given by the university was, "The University of Delhi will not teach the Manusmriti text in any course offered by the university.” It also added, "The 'Dharmashastra Studies' course, a Discipline-Specific Core (DSC) paper of the Sanskrit Department, in which Manusmriti was listed as a recommended reading, stands deleted."

In its official statement, DU made it clear that Manusmriti is not going to be studied in any form in any of its courses. The paper, Dharmashastra Studies, in which Manusmriti was included, has been removed from the syllabus. Additionally, The university’s Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh, reiterated that this stance for undergraduate curriculum is final and will be upheld in the future as well..

In the meanwhile, students of Delhi University shall presumably continue to study Sanskrit and history without the Manusmriti. University is trying its best to ensure that its curriculum is less exclusive and causes no conflict or feelings of being excluded to the students.

This news of Manusmriti in Delhi University brings forward the discussion that has been going on concerning what is to be taught in Indian universities. Some may say that all ancient works should be studied academically, whereas others feel that some works, particularly those containing offensive social codes, gender discrimination, and class discrimination, ought to be handled with care, or omitted altogether.

The takeaway of this whole DU news is that student voices are heard, and the curriculum will reflect the values of inclusivity and respect as per the need of the era.