Deeply woven into South Asian legal and moral traditions, the Manusmriti has drawn fire from scholars, activists and reformers alike. Here are some of the sharpest critiques:

1. Endorsement of Caste Hierarchy
   • Ranks society into rigid varnas, treating birth as destiny.
   • Denies basic dignity and equal rights to “lower” castes—viewed today as a direct affront to universal human rights.
   • Fuelled colonial-era codification of caste, reinforcing social segregation still felt in villages and cities.

2. Patriarchal Bias
   • Positions women as dependents—first on father, then husband, finally sons.
   • Restricts female autonomy in property, education and public life.
   • Clashes with movements like #MeToo and India’s own push for gender equality under the 2019 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act.

3. Harsh Punishments and Social Control
   • Stiff penalties for infractions, from fines to corporal punishment.
   • Emphasis on ritual purity invites social exclusion and stigma for so-called impurities—unthinkable under modern constitutions.

4. Clash with Modern Legal Systems
   • Roots in divine authority, slippery when matched against secular constitutions.
   • Ambedkar dubbed it “a mountain of trash” for denying fundamental rights, inspiring India’s framers to enshrine liberty and equality instead.

5. Selective Revival by Contemporary Politics
   • Some nationalist groups invoke Manusmriti to legitimize moral policing, cow vigilantism and vigilante justice—sparking protests across campuses last year, especially during debates over the Citizenship Amendment Act.
   • Critics warn this cherry-picking of ancient texts can weaponize tradition against minority communities.

6. Ethical and Theological Objections
   • Seen by many modern Hindus as outdated, even sacrilegious, for elevating hierarchies over compassion.
   • Comparative theologians point out that most living religions have long since outgrown such prescriptive social codes.

While the Manusmriti remains a cultural touchstone, its sweeping regulations—rooted in a very different era—continue to provoke heated debate. Far from a dusty relic, its legacy still resonates in India’s courts, streets and university halls, reminding everyone that ancient law often collides head-on with contemporary ideals of justice and equality.