A video went viral on social media platforms on Sunday showing a woman setting a copy of Manusmriti – an ancient Sanskrit text, referred to as the ‘code of conduct’ for Hindus – and lighting a cigarette with the book while cooking chicken on a stove.
Manusmriti is infamous for preaching casteism and promoting injustice towards Dalits. The text was rejected and burned by Dr BR Ambedkar, who even gathered masses in Maharashtra to protest against the controversial text.
The woman in the video was identified as Priya Das from Bihar, according to social media users. While many people hailed her for voicing against oppression, others felt the act promoted “intolerance” and was directed towards Hindus.
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In another video, she can be seen speaking to the media, saying that she stands by her act. "Burning of Manusmriti is only a symbolic action, its foundation and purpose were laid long ago by Babasaheb (Ambedkar). Burning the book was not to go against any one person or political leader. My motive was to launch an attack on the disgusting, shallow and hypocritical mindset. That is my purpose,” she says.
Admitting that burning any book is not right, the woman went on to say that the purpose of a book is to create knowledge and education. But there needs to be a protest against such books that promote discrimination, she says in the video.
