“In the Indic worldview, work is not merely a means of livelihood but a contribution to the broader order of dharma (righteous duty). This perspective recognises every worker — whether an artisan, farmer, teacher, or industrial labourer – as an essential participant in the cycle of social creation,” says the policy, reported The Telegraph.
“Ancient texts such as the Manusmriti, Yajnavalkyasmriti, Naradasmriti, Sukraniti and Arthashastra articulated this ethos through the concept of rajdharma, emphasising the sovereign’s duty to ensure justice, fair wages, and the protection of workers from exploitation.”
Experts have questioned the reasoning behind the policy drawing from ancient Hindu texts, citing the fact that in ancient times, workers had no rights and there was no wage system.
29/10/2025
“To glorify the concept of srama (labour) as promoted by the Hindu texts is nothing but an attempt to reinforce the same caste-based hierarchical division of labour in which the Brahmins would enjoy the highest status for their ritualistic practices in religious ceremonies,” Pradeep Shinde, a faculty member at the Centre for Informal Sector and Labour Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU told the newspaper.