Manusmriti: The Next Magna Carta?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 26 April 2024 Sharia Law may be a diminishing threat, unlike Manusmriti. By Ghulam Mohiyuddin 24/04/2024 00:17:52 Mr Ghulam Mohiuddin's apprehension is NOT misplaced. I agree with him in toto. "The casteism of the Manuwadi social system, now formally called the Hindu religion, created an irreparable rift in an otherwise homogenous society, and divided the country on religious grounds, creating Pakistan to the west and present-day Bangladesh to the east. The disunity created by the MS made the country easy prey to foreign invaders such as the Mughals, Dutch, Portuguese, French and the British. Under the British, the country did get united politically and administratively. What is worth noting is that under all the foreign regimes, the pre-ordained social structure remained intact, and the high castes continued to reap the benefits. In fact, they were loyal and obedient, co-operating and supporting all the foreign rulers during their regimes, by occupying crucial offices at all levels, in all departments of governance." From " The Manusmriti and a Divided Nation " by P B Sawant An engraving of King John signing the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede, England. ------ It's because of Manusmriti, this country has thousands of castes and sub-castes and all have been fighting among themselves for centuries. Reyon Garnett opined that the rigid caste hierarchy in ancient India eventually birthed all sorts of discrimination among humans whether it's today's apartheid, colour consciousness or racial supremacy prevalent in the western world. Though it may be debatable, there's no gainsaying the fact that the caste system, described and extolled in Manusmriti, was the first salvo and the earliest instance of an institutionalized aversion to other groups in a social set up. It sowed the seeds of social discrimination. Manusmriti states that Dharma is the religious and moral law governing individual conduct. Ironically, its caste hierarchy influences individual and social conduct in a skewed manner. Dharma, in its pristine form, underlines equality and egalitarianism (Sarvabhuteshu Param Vidhanam). Where do you find that egalitarianism if you follow Manusmriti ? If the current political dispensation is once again voted in, chances are that Manusmriti will be its Magna Carta or a new rule book. Brace yourself for that! ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/manusmriti-magna-carta/d/132206 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism