Governor H.R. Bhardwaj on Sunday said teachings of Vedas and other scriptures should be made part of the education system so as to enable the younger generation to understand its duties towards society. Research into Sanskrit and related should be encouraged towards this end, he said.
The Governor was speaking after releasing the late B.N. Sampath’s “Hindu Law” compiled and edited by his elder brother, B.N. Krishnan, retired judge of Karnataka High Court and brought out by Indian Institute of Legal Literacy here. He, however, said Hindu Laws were biased against women and several amendments had to be made to ensure equal rights to women.
The National Law School of India University, Bangalore, was the first such institution in India. Mr. Bhardwaj said, “I am sorry Mr. Venkat Rao [NLSIU Vice Chancellor present on the occasion] that nothing has been added to it. No research activities have been undertaken in the institute.”
Uniform civil codeThere cannot be a uniform civil code in India as it is a nation with diversity. Even among Hindus, there is no uniformity; there are castes and sub-castes, Mr. Bhardwaj said.
Though the Supreme Court had almost directed the Union government to bring in the code when he was Law Minister, he had replied suitably by studying the codification of personal laws by the British, who did not touch the aspects of marriage, succession, divorce and maintenance, he pointed out.
The former Governor of Bihar M. Rama Jois said Hindu Law stood on four pillars — marriage, family, duty and dharma — which unfortunately were becoming weaker.
Social securityUnlike other societies, marriage in Hindu law was samskaara (acculturation); not contract wherein husband and wife live together with mutual love and trust. The joint family had been ensuring social security, while the scriptures talked about one’s duties towards parents and society and not the rights, he said.
Justice Krishnan, family members of Late Prof. Sampath, serving and retired judges and others were present.
