Amid row, DU says it won't teach Manusmriti in any course
Delhi University (DU) on Thursday said it will not be teaching the Manusmriti in any of its courses, days after the university's faculty and students protested against the inclusion of the text as recommended reading for a paper of the Sanskrit Department.
DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh told The Hindu, 'Our stand has been clear — that Manusmriti will not be taught in any course. Last year, it was suggested that Manusmriti be included in the law syllabus. Back then, too, we had removed it. This time, it had been introduced in the Sanskrit syllabus. As soon as it was brought to our notice, we have decided to remove it.'
The university also posted a statement on X: ''Dharamshastra Studies', the DSC (Discipline Specific Core) of the Sanskrit Department, where Manusmriti is mentioned as a 'recommended reading' stands deleted.'
'Shameful move'
On Thursday, Varun Choudhary, national president of the student group National Students' Union of India, said, 'Including Manusmriti in DU's syllabus is shameful. It laid the foundation of caste discrimination and injustice against Dalits, women, and the underprivileged.'
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