Education
Delhi University Removes Controversial Manusmriti Readings from Law Syllabus
Delhi University‘s Academic Council, led by Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, has made significant amendments to the syllabus of two law papers at the renowned Faculty of Law, stirring controversy among educators.
Nine dissenting teachers raised concerns over the exclusion of pivotal legal texts by prominent figures such as Amartya Sen and John Locke, while emphasizing the addition of concepts like ‘Dharma’ and ‘Purushartha, which they deemed irrelevant.
The contentious issue emerged after the proposed inclusion of readings from the Manusmriti in the syllabus, sparking debates on the relevance of ancient Indian legal concepts in a modern legal education setting.
Megh Raj, one of the dissenting voices and an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law, highlighted the importance of incorporating both ancient and contemporary legal systems, warning that the recent amendments could lead to deficiencies in students’ comprehension of the subject.
The dissenting teachers further criticized the truncation of crucial sections in Jurisprudence I, such as ‘Concept of Natural Law,’ which excluded works by notable philosophers like John Locke, replacing them with concepts like ‘Ritam’ and ‘Dharma’.
The amendments, which also introduced Kautilya’s Arthashastra and several ancient Indian legal principles, drew backlash for allegedly neglecting diverse legal philosophies, including Dalit, Gandhian, feminist, and Marxist perspectives.
Despite unanimous approval by the Faculty’s Committee of Courses and the Standing Committee on Academic Matters, concerns persist over the exclusion of essential readings by modern legal scholars and the perceived dominance of Brahmanical ideas in the revised syllabi.
Responding to the backlash, Delhi University disclosed plans to explore establishing a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chair, possibly addressing the need for a more inclusive and balanced legal curriculum at the esteemed institution.
