Manusmriti dropped, will not be taught in any course: DU VC

New Delhi: Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh has reaffirmed that 'Manusmriti' will not be taught in any course at the university, responding to widespread criticism over its mention in a reading list prepared by the Department of Sanskrit.

"Earlier also, the administration had made it clear that 'Manusmriti' will not be part of any course. Last year too, this was clarified. However, the Sanskrit department had suggested a reading that included 'Manusmriti' under ‘Dharmashastra Studies’. That reading has now been removed. If the department wishes to include 'Manusmriti', they will have to propose it differently, and then proceed accordingly," Singh told PTI.

The university also reiterated its stance on X, stating: “University of Delhi will not teach 'Manusmriti' text in any course of the University. ‘Dharmashastra Studies’, the DSC of the Sanskrit Department, where 'Manusmriti' is mentioned as a ‘recommended reading’ stands deleted.”

The development follows controversy surrounding the introduction of a four-credit Sanskrit course titled 'Dharmashastra Studies' under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The syllabus had included classical texts such as the 'Ramayana', 'Mahabharata', 'Puranas', and 'Arthashastra', along with 'Manusmriti'.

However, the inclusion of 'Manusmriti'—a text often criticised for its regressive views on caste and gender—drew strong opposition from student groups and faculty members.

This is not the first instance of Delhi University distancing itself from the controversial scripture. In July last year, the university rejected a proposal to include 'Manusmriti' and 'Baburnama' in the history syllabus, asserting that such proposals would not be accepted in the future either.

With PTI inputs