By Shivangi Singh
Before the controversial clouds could even lift off her previous book, Wendy Donigers latest literary venture also faces opposition from the orthodox Hindu religious groups across the globe. After Penguin publishing house recalled Donigers The Hindus: An Alternative History earlier last month, another publisher took the step for her book titled On Hinduism. As Aleph Book Company, promoted by Rupa publishers seeks the return of all the copies so far distributed of the book, the event raises serious doubts about the amount of freedom which the fundamental right of Freedom of Expression really impart a writer in the largest democracy of the world.
Born and brought up in the New York City, Wendy Doniger graduated in Sanskrit and Indian Studies from Radcliffe College and went on to do M.A. from the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She studied for one year in India during the course of her Junior Fellowship from the American Institute of Indian Studies. She further went on to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University and D.Phil. from yet another stalwart of providing quality education, Oxford University. Currently, Doniger is serving as a Distinguished Professor at the University of Chicago. She is also on the International Editorial Board of the Encyclopedia Britannica. If only her accomplishments while studying about India gave her the freedom to interact directly with the people of India, who might have been probably her truest readers!
After the publisher took the decision of axing the book, Alephs spokesperson was quoted as saying, We dont want to get involved in any controversy. They had received clear instructions to recall all copies of On Hinduism from senior officials in Delhi. Fact in the matter is that Wendy Donigers books are facing these atrocities following protests by a little-known and allegedly, politically supported group called Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti. The SBAS has stated that Donigers book The Hindus: An Alternative History is full of misrepresented facts and it is derogatory and offensive to the sensibilities of the Hindu community as the representation of the deities is overtly sexual.
The questions that come to mind are- What do the people of SBAS really know about Hinduism? How many ancient Hindu texts have they bothered to read? How well do they know Indias history? Given Wendys professional and academic accomplishments, their knowledge obviously cant be more than hers on the topic. For if they knew anything about Indias past, they would know that in the land which gave the world Kamasutra and is home to the oldest and perhaps the only sex temple in the world, sexuality was not only celebrated but also revered. Hinduism is perhaps the only religion in the world which does not consider sex to be a sin. Wendy and her friends have been crying out loud this sentiment ever since the protests first started. A true academic and probably, the greatest fan of Hinduism in the West, Wendy simply wants to bring out the true flavor of Hinduism and aims to reconnect the modern India with the ancient land of wonders. If anything, Indian societies must rejoice at her choice of subject as this gives the platform for the Hindus to break the stereotypical image of being conservative.
This incident throws light on how Freedom of Expression is obsolete in India. The protests of SBAS are reminiscent of the Victorian Era when the legs of furniture were covered with clothes simply because they were legs. It is revolting to think of a society which was extremely modern and accepting of sensual pleasures in the past taking such a U-turn. Hopefully, the protesters of SBAS will realize their mistake soon and we would be able to comprehend what real Hinduism was all about through Wendys well researched books. Till then, these books would gather a cult status and an unprecedented fan following and in the decades to come they would remain best sellers, as was the case with several classics which were indigestible by the then generation but continue to be found in the closets of every true reader; for if the protests and the re-calling of the books have done anything, it is to publicize the books more than even the best of PR agents could have. The message has reached the true devotees of literature and they wont let Wendys books die and there can be no greater solace on the International Womens Day for a woman who has shown great courage by writing about Hinduism at large, knowing well Indias conservative stand.
As a proud Army daughter and a B.Tech graduate, who let go of corporate jobs in order to dedicate myself fully to the service of the society, by joining an NGO and blogging about social issues, its my most cherished dream to see India progress, prosper and become a developed country ASAP. I have worked extensively with online media platforms and start-ups. Read my thoughts at:http://shivangi-