A video featuring a young woman burning Manusmriti, smoking a cigarette, and cooking chicken has become viral. The woman is Priya Das, a 27-year-old resident of Sheikhpura, Bihar, and a State Secretary in the Mahila Pradesh of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). When interviewed by Aaj Tak, Priya was asked about her reasons for burning Manusmriti.
Priya revealed she purchased the Manusmriti for around 500 rupees. In the text, it is stated that women consuming alcohol can face various punishments. Additionally, it mentions considering the caste of involved parties before meting out justice.
I neither eat non-veg nor smoke cigarettes
Source: aajtak
The video of Manusmriti being burned, cigarette smoking, and chicken cooking has amassed millions of views on Twitter. While hundreds have called the burning of Manusmriti objectionable, others have expressed disapproval of Priya's smoking and cooking actions. However, Priya clarified during an interview with Aaj Tak that she neither eats non-veg nor smokes. She prepared chicken and smoked in the video solely as a form of protest.
Alongside her political work, Priya is pursuing her studies and aspires to become a teacher. She has passed the CTET and is preparing for her Ph.D.
Identifying herself as a Dalit activist, Priya mentions in another video that burning Manusmriti is an action driven by principles upheld long ago by Babasaheb. The act is not against any individual but rather aims to challenge the oppressive ideologies of hypocrisy and deceit. This was her intent.
Priya emphasized that this is just the beginning, and books like these should be rendered obsolete. While books are sources of knowledge, this one promotes hierarchy and discrimination. Therefore, such books warrant opposition.
'Many societal evils find their roots in Manusmriti'
Priya highlighted that Manusmriti contains numerous teachings about humans and women that are inappropriate. According to her, every page of the book deserves to be incinerated.
She encouraged Dalits to step forward and oppose such texts. Priya also argued that many societal evils originate from Manusmriti, whether related to women or marriage customs. She recalled Babasaheb also set Manusmriti ablaze in the past.
'Smoking was symbolic of sarcasm'
When asked why she smoked cigarettes, Priya stated her intention wasn't to advocate smoking but to emphasize the conditions of women.
Manusmriti dictates numerous guidelines for women. By smoking, she meant to sarcastically confront these constraints. It was merely a form of protest.
Aren't you afraid after burning Manusmriti? She replied boldly, stating that she has moved forward, and people are free to act as they wish. She no longer fears anything.
Source: aajtak
