Jump to content

Penguin withdraws "The Hindus: An Alternative History"


Recommended Posts

Posted
the author is not unbiased as he claims to be .. singled out only BJP & ignored everything on 'El Sari Rojo’ or 'Nehru: A Tryst With Destiny' in the article I would ask the author to reflect on his own words : "You cannot pick and choose when to be tolerant."
I have a fundamental problem with that line: if one cannot pick and choose when to be tolerant, then one is a moron, for except for maybe breathing the same polluted air, there is no 'one glove fit all' scenario for existence. Exceptions are present virtually in each and every real world scenarios. For eg, it'd be inconsistent with the ideals of tolerance if one were intolerant out of lifestyle choices or philosophical implications to project it unto the society. But if one is tolerant of a psychopathic killer, then well, one is naive. I prefer to think of tolerance through the prism of Buddha's words regarding tolerance: moderation in everything, including, tolerance.
Posted

Indian liberal of today was a commie yesterday, So F 'em. As for Doniger, only 2 kinds of people would voice support for this orientalist biatch: unassuming and gungadeens.

Posted
Indian liberal of today was a commie yesterday' date=' So F 'em. [/quote'] Typical conservative intellectual impotency is usually displayed by such 'one glove fits all' depiction of liberals, who are a far more heterogenous group than conservatives, who by definition and practice adhere to a far more common & concise political and social outlook. What is more accurate, is to say that indian conservatives today are descended from brainwashed 'islamicized' hindus of the past. People who either adopted abrahamic moral outlook to thrive in its rule or compete against it.
Posted

What's the BFD? Penguin didn't fight it out , chickened out and withdrew the book. Did anybody ban the book like the GOI did it in case of Taslima or Salman, taking an initiative by itself? There were protests by some concerned, just like there was in case of Lajja/Satanic verses. Personally, I don't want anybody to ban any book. Let people read if they want to, others can choose not to do so.

Posted
Typical conservative intellectual impotency is usually displayed by such 'one glove fits all' depiction of liberals, who are a far more heterogenous group than conservatives, who by definition and practice adhere to a far more common & concise political and social outlook. What is more accurate, is to say that indian conservatives today are descended from brainwashed 'islamicized' hindus of the past. People who either adopted abrahamic moral outlook to thrive in its rule or compete against it.
I've just farted and wafted it in your general direction to let you know what I feel of someone that incessantly regurgitates Naipauls and Chaudhuris of the world with scant regard for the context. (Don't worry, classical mechanics be damned. I'm using a RSS issued quantum tunneling device. So you won't just smell it but, by the grace of Namo, taste it as well)
Posted
I've just farted and wafted it in your general direction to let you know what I feel of someone that incessantly regurgitates Naipauls and Chaudhuris of the world with scant regard for the context.
I havn't read Naipaul, so its kind of laughable how you are incapable of addressing a point in anything other than your ill-attempted pigeonholed analogies to already existant material. All it underscores, is your inability to think critically. Your hinduvta whitewashing of indic culture and support for fellow hinduvta self-appointed 'regulator and maintainers' of this warped notion of indic culture and history, is simply hogwash. Period. From you to Bossbhai, there is not an iota of scientific enquiry or objectivity outside of your assumed religious values in the entire spectrum of Indic culture in your highly limited perception.
Posted
Intolerance in the name of freedom of expression - Statement by Monika Arora, Advocate who fought for Shiksha Bachao andolan "I was shocked and aghast to read the comments of author Wendy Doniger calling Indian Judiciary as the main villain in this case. Equally shocking was the article of Ram Chandra Guha carried by your esteemed newspaper stating that courts have failed to protect artistic rights. Equally stunning was the letter of Arundhati Roy calling us Hindu fanatic outfit, fly-by-night-outfit and fascists on the one hand and threatening Penguin with protests outside their office on the other hand. All these three reactions displayed the same mindset which is anti Hindu mindset and holds “we will obey the law, if it suits us otherwise damn it.†Wendy Doniger wrote in her ill famed book that Swami Vivekananda & Mahatma Gandhi advised people to eat beef. Mangal Pandey hero of 1st Independence Movement was under influence of bhang, opium, alcohol; Rani Laxmibai was loyal to the British. Shivalinga is a representation of the male sexual organ in erection. Lord Rama said only an idiot like father would give up a good son like him for the sake of pretty women. The map of India is shown without Kashmir. The objectionable passages are per-se defamatory, objectionable and insulting to our freedom fighters and the Hindu Gods. Eminent personalities including former ambassador, historian, educationist, freedom fighter approached court of law for deletion of such passages. After 4 years of legal battle, Penguin agreed to withdraw this book and gave an undertaking to the court to this effect. Hence the withdrawal of this book is an outcome of a valid, legal battle fought by people of eminence in this vibrant democracy. Further this lynch mob and intolerant pseudo-secularists in the name of freedom of expression are crying from rooftops and demanding freedom of defamation. India is governed by Rule of Law which states that law is Supreme and governs the whole country and its people. Article 19 of the Constitution of India states the fundamental Rights of freedom of expression which comes with reasonable restrictions in public order, morality, unity and integrity. But the likes of Arundhati Roy are alien to the concept of Rule of Law. She has been more in the news for being on the wrong side of law and was even held guilty for Contempt of Court. Criminal cases were lodged against her for sharing platform with separatists and preaching the separation of Kashmir from India. She has questioned the use of the word ‘Bharat’ for India by Penguin, not realizing that Article 1 of the Constitution of India calls “India, that is Bharat shall be a union of states.†Hence the aforementioned people are damning the Indian Courts, damning the publishing house which stated that it respected all religions and damning the group of eminent, educated people who out of their conviction did not resort to any violence but adopted purely legal, civilized means to approach the Court of law for a legal remedy for their legitimate legal grievances. But these champions of freedom of expressions have took upon them their favorite agenda to attack all those who do not agree with them and who dare to talk in favour of Hindus or the Freedom Fighters of this country. They are the likes of the American President who openly declared “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.†Similarly they declare that either you are with us or you are fascists, extremists and fanatics. This intolerant section has one motto damn everyone who does not agree with them in the name of freedom of expression. I most humbly state that merely getting an International award does not make you Ms. Wendy Doniger and Ms. Arundhati Roy above the Indian Law and does not give you a right to damn the Indian Courts, Judiciary and all these voices who disagree with you. Further it does not give you freedom to defame the freedom Fighters and any religion in the name of freedom of expression." Advocate Monika Arora Supreme Court Advocate for Sh. Dinanath Batra
Posted

Are such controversies the new way to increase book sales these days? I read arundhathi roy's article in TOI and got the impression she was trying to call out penguin's BS.

Posted

The arundhathi article was not a direct attack on this never before heard of organization. Can't people figure out the intent of the letter before falling for silly tricks? This seems very much like a manufactured controversy.

Posted
The arundhathi article was not a direct attack on this never before heard of organization. Can't people figure out the intent of the letter before falling for silly tricks? This seems very much like a manufactured controversy.
so why can't Arundati Roy just limit herself to criticising Penguin instead of calling names for that organization? Further you too can read the below letter by their Advocate & figure out for yourself their intent ps: link to Arundhati Roy's article
Posted
so why can't Arundati Roy just limit herself to criticising Penguin instead of calling names for that organization? Further you too can read the below letter by their Advocate & figure out for yourself their intent ps: link to Arundhati Roy's article
All i could figure out was one, i shouldn't trust penguin and Shiksha Bachao Andolan Committee and two, i shouldn't buy The Hindus: An Alternative History.
Posted

our own "liberal laws" to blame for this silly ban. another take from MediaCrooks, Free Speech & The Fiberal Farce http://www.mediacrooks.com/2014/02/free-speech-fiberal-farce.html little extract from above article:

This is a country that has banned pornography and even Adult toys; you think people will tolerate abuse of religion? It is just that some Hindu group, instead of agitating, rioting and burning shops, resorted to a democratic, legal process that has upset the Fiberals. They would have been happier if there was violence so they could sing their song of “saffron extremists” and “evil Hindutva”.
Posted

Best way to sell anything these days is to create a controversy and fuel outrage online. All you need is a bakra constituency that is quick to anger. VMA, superbowl ads all follow the same modus operandi.

Posted
I havn't read Naipaul, so its kind of laughable how you are incapable of addressing a point in anything other than your ill-attempted pigeonholed analogies to already existant material. All it underscores, is your inability to think critically. Your hinduvta whitewashing of indic culture and support for fellow hinduvta self-appointed 'regulator and maintainers' of this warped notion of indic culture and history, is simply hogwash. Period. From you to Bossbhai, there is not an iota of scientific enquiry or objectivity outside of your assumed religious values in the entire spectrum of Indic culture in your highly limited perception.
Master ranter strikes again. Just because you choose to define hindutva with certain undertones, doesn't make it so. Go cry me a river. While at it, read what apaddharma means.
Posted
What's the BFD? Penguin didn't fight it out ' date= chickened out and withdrew the book. Did anybody ban the book like the GOI did it in case of Taslima or Salman, taking an initiative by itself? There were protests by some concerned, just like there was in case of Lajja/Satanic verses. Personally, I don't want anybody to ban any book. Let people read if they want to, others can choose not to do so.
And why did it "chicken out"?
×
×
  • Create New...