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