Renowned comedian Brahmanandam, known for his iconic roles in Telugu cinema, recently found himself in the midst of controversy after delivering a speech at a Teachers’ Day event in Vijayawada. While the event was meant to honor educators and celebrate the legacy of social reformers like Savitribai Phule, Brahmanandam’s remarks took an unexpected turn, sparking outrage among Hindu communities. His speech, which misquoted and misrepresented the Manusmriti, has been criticized as anti-Hindu and factually inaccurate.  

Brahmanandam’s claims: A distortion of facts  

In his speech, Brahmanandam made several shocking claims about the Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text that has often been misinterpreted and misrepresented by critics. He stated, “How long has it been since we heard the words, “Teachers should be respected”? How many people have thought of giving awards to teachers? Moreover, where did they place the teachers? They suddenly appeared somewhere. Bring the four teachers from our school, garland them, take photos, and honor them. This is not how you honor teachers like Ramachandra Yadav. Savitribai Phule, that great mother—today, we stand on the graves of many great souls and hoist the national agenda. We live by the aspirations of great women. Earlier, a girl said, “I am able to stand here and speak today because of Savitribai Phule.” How much she struggled! In Manusmriti, in Manu Dharma, it is said that women should not be educated. Women should not even step outside.”  

He further said, “Almost to this day, these practices are still followed to some extent. Women should not be educated. Women should not step outside or speak. That’s why even today, in some remote villages, if someone comes to the house, they say, “She is not at home.” This is tradition. Moreover, it is said in the Vedas that if women are educated, rains will stop, and droughts will occur. They instilled this fear to suppress women, ensuring they never rise or have individual opinions. They say, “Ladies are becoming ‘ladies’ these days.” What does that even mean? Aren’t they human? Shouldn’t they become empowered? That’s why even more terrifying practices exist. In the past, during Sati Sahagamana, if the husband died, the wife was pushed into the funeral pyre. Why? Because some believed that if the husband died, the wife should also die. They thought, “Let’s end this life together. If he leaves this life, she should too.” This is a cruel and inhumane practice. Even today, we laugh at it, but imagine the horror. Little children, innocent girls, if their husbands died, especially during the times of child marriage, where young girls were married off to older men. Think about how cruel this was. That’s why in Kanyasulkam, Gurujada Apparao writes about Putti Bomma Purnamma. In the story, a 9-year-old girl, who knows nothing, is married off to a 60- or 70-year-old man. The man already has wives, and one of them has died. They believe that if the husband dies without a wife, he won’t attain heaven. So, they bring a young girl and marry her off to him.”

He also said, “In the past, they said, “Women should not read, should not touch the Vedas.” Today, we easily talk about Savitribai Phule, how great she was, how much she struggled for social reform. But practically, think about how difficult it was for her in those days.”

These statements on ManuSmriti and Vedas are not only factually incorrect but also reflect a deep misunderstanding of Hindu scriptures. Brahmanandam’s remarks were not just a casual misstep; they were a deliberate attempt to malign Hindu dharma and its scriptures, painting them as regressive and oppressive.  

Manusmriti and the Vedas celebrate women  

Let’s set the record straight. The Manusmriti and the Vedas, far from being anti-women, celebrate and honor women. Women held a highly significant and revered position in ancient Indian society, often regarded as superior to men. Numerous literary works provide evidence of the immense power women wielded, capable of determining the fate of kingdoms and mighty rulers. In the Mahabharata, Veda Vyasa illustrates how the Kauravas faced destruction after humiliating Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. Similarly, Valmiki’s Ramayana portrays the tragic downfall of Ravana, who forcibly abducted Sita Devi. Manusmriti explicitly states, “Women must be honoured and adorned by their fathers, brothers, husbands, and brothers‑in‑law, who desire their welfare. Where women are honoured, the gods are pleased; but where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields rewards. Where the female relations live in grief, the family soon wholly perishes; but that family where they are happy ever prospers. The houses on which female relations, not being duly honoured, pronounce a curse, perish completely as if destroyed by magic. Hence men who seek (their own) welfare should always honour women on holidays and festivals with (gifts of) ornaments, clothes, and (dainty) food.”

This sentiment is echoed in the Mahabharata, where Grandfather Bhishma forewarns Yudhishthira about the consequences of dishonoring women:
“O ruler of the earth (Yudhishthira), the lineage in which daughters and the daughters-in-law are saddened by ill-treatment, that lineage is destroyed. When out of their grief, these women curse these households, such households lose their charm, prosperity, and happiness.” (Mahabharata, Anushashanparva, 12.14)

While it is not clear which sloka of ManuSmriti or the Vedas Brahmanandam is quoting, here are some slokas from the smriti itself that glorify women.

Manusmriti 3:56: Where women are worshipped, there the gods reside. Where they are not worshipped, all actions are fruitless.

Manusmriti 3:57: Where the female relations live in grief, the family soon wholly perishes; but that family where they are not unhappy ever prospers.

On women’s education and empowerment

Manusmriti 9:104 talks of inheritance. The verse has multiple interpretations, and the one by Yagnavalkya says, “Yājñavalkya (2.117).—‘After the parents, the sons shall divide equally their property as well as their debts; the mother’s property, what remains after the paying off of the debts, her daughters shall divide among themselves; and in the absence of the daughters, the offspring of their daughters.’  

Protection and respect for women  

Manusmriti 9:3 says “The father guards her during virginity, the husband guards her in youth, the sons guard her in old age; the woman is never fit for independence.” – ‘Guarding’ here stands for averting trouble,—‘trouble’ consisting in suffering caused by the transgression of the right course of conduct, by illegal appropriation of property and so forth; and the ‘averting’ of this consists in warding it off. This should be done by the father and others.

This verse is often misinterpreted. It does not imply that women are weak or dependent but emphasizes that society must protect and care for women at every stage of life.  

Manusmriti verse 8:29 prescribes severe punishments for those who harm women or steal their wealth. The verse says “While these women are alive, if their relatives should appropriate their property,—on them the righteous king shall inflict the punishment of thieves”

Rigveda, Chapter 5,(sukta92, sloka-8),vol.-1 says, “O woman! You are the owner of good fortune, good deeds, fame, producer of Grains, and other foods, O Usha! Bless us, good child, servant, horses, wealth, and fame.” which means women are honoured not only as a reproducer of a new life but the nurture, preserver, and sustainer of the children and family also.

Rig Veda, Mandal -1, chapter-7, sukta 32,shloka-7 says, “O! Devi, as you administered different gestures, you can illuminate everything as bright as sunup and as calm as dusk, emplace here also in the same manner and accept our offerings. As God Varun and God Indra empowered us, capacitate us with the same propensity.”

In Vedic society, the birth of a girl child was celebrated as the incarnation of a goddess, which is why families and society never imposed restrictions on their education. Women who chose to pursue knowledge without marrying faced no obstacles, and a specific Vedic term, Amajur, was used to describe unmarried women. The seers were divided into two categories: Brahmavadinis, who dedicated their entire lives to the pursuit of truth and knowledge, and Sadyodvahas, who studied theology and philosophy until their marriage, typically around the age of 15-16.

The Rigveda contains hymns composed by women seers such as Ghosha, Apala, Godha, and Vishwavara, among others. There are also numerous references in the Vedas to women engaging in martial pursuits. For instance, Vadhrimati and Vishpala are celebrated as female warriors in the hymns of Ghosha (10.39, 40), showcasing their participation in actual battles. These examples highlight the respect and opportunities afforded to women in Vedic society, reflecting their significant role in both intellectual and martial spheres.

Brahmanandam’s anti-Hindu agenda?

Brahmanandam’s speech was not just a case of ignorance; it was a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and fuel anti-Hindu sentiment. By misquoting Manusmriti and the Vedas, he perpetuated the false narrative that Hindu scriptures are regressive and oppressive. This is not only disrespectful to Hindu dharma but also a disservice to the millions of Hindus who hold these texts sacred.

His remarks about women’s education and the alleged consequences of educating women are baseless and absurd. No verse in the Vedas or Manusmriti suggests educating women would lead to droughts or societal collapse. Such claims are nothing but fabrications designed to tarnish the image of Hinduism.

Brahmanandam, who has made a career out of entertaining audiences, must now answer for his irresponsible and inflammatory remarks. His speech was not just a personal opinion; it was a public attack on Hindu dharma and its scriptures. He owes an apology to the Hindu community for spreading misinformation and disrespecting their faith.

Brahmanandam’s speech was a stark reminder of how easily misinformation can be spread, especially when it comes from influential figures. His misrepresentation of Manusmriti and the Vedas was not just a factual error; it was a deliberate attempt to malign Hinduism.

The truth is that Hindu scriptures celebrate women and their empowerment. They advocate for education, equality, and respect for women. It is time to set the record straight and hold those accountable who spread lies and misinformation.