New Delhi: A proposal to teach Manusmriti (Laws of Manu) to LLB students of Delhi University is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of its Academic Council on Friday, a move that has drawn criticism from a section of teachers.
The Law Faculty has sought approval from the highest decision-making body of the University of Delhi (DU) to revise the syllabus of its first and third year students to teach them 'Manusmriti'.
The changes to the jurisprudence work curriculum pertain to semesters one and six of the LLB.
As per the reviews, it is proposed to present to the students two readings on Manusmriti: Manusmriti with the Manubhasya of Medhatithi by G N Jha and Commentary on Manu Smriti - Smritichandrika by T Kristnasawmi Iyer.
The decision to suggest the revisions was unanimously approved at a June 24 meeting of the faculty's Course Committee headed by its dean Anju Vali Tikoo, according to the minutes of the meeting.
Objecting to the move, the Left-backed Social Democratic Teachers' Front (SDTF) wrote to DU vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh, claiming that the manuscript propagates a "regressive" outlook towards women's rights and marginalized communities and that goes against a "progressive educational system."
In a letter to Singh, SDTF general secretary SS Barwal and president SK Sagar said recommending Manusmriti to students as suggested reading "is highly objectionable as this text is inimical to the progress and education of women and marginalized communities in India.
"In Manusmriti, in several sections, it is opposed to women's education and equal rights. The introduction of any section or part of Manusmriti is against the basic structure of our Constitution and the principles of the Indian Constitution" , the letter said.
The SDTF demanded that the proposal be withdrawn immediately and not approved at the Academic Council meeting scheduled for July 12.
He further requested the vice-chancellor to issue an order to the law faculty and concerned staff members to continue teaching jurisprudence on paper based on the existing syllabus.
The Law Faculty has sought approval from the highest decision-making body of the University of Delhi (DU) to revise the syllabus of its first and third year students to teach them 'Manusmriti'.
The changes to the jurisprudence work curriculum pertain to semesters one and six of the LLB.
As per the reviews, it is proposed to present to the students two readings on Manusmriti: Manusmriti with the Manubhasya of Medhatithi by G N Jha and Commentary on Manu Smriti - Smritichandrika by T Kristnasawmi Iyer.
The decision to suggest the revisions was unanimously approved at a June 24 meeting of the faculty's Course Committee headed by its dean Anju Vali Tikoo, according to the minutes of the meeting.
Objecting to the move, the Left-backed Social Democratic Teachers' Front (SDTF) wrote to DU vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh, claiming that the manuscript propagates a "regressive" outlook towards women's rights and marginalized communities and that goes against a "progressive educational system."
In a letter to Singh, SDTF general secretary SS Barwal and president SK Sagar said recommending Manusmriti to students as suggested reading "is highly objectionable as this text is inimical to the progress and education of women and marginalized communities in India.
"In Manusmriti, in several sections, it is opposed to women's education and equal rights. The introduction of any section or part of Manusmriti is against the basic structure of our Constitution and the principles of the Indian Constitution" , the letter said.
The SDTF demanded that the proposal be withdrawn immediately and not approved at the Academic Council meeting scheduled for July 12.
He further requested the vice-chancellor to issue an order to the law faculty and concerned staff members to continue teaching jurisprudence on paper based on the existing syllabus.
