TFIPOST हिन्दी
TFIPOST Global
Tfipost.com
Tfipost.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Politics
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
    Radico Khaitan Pulls ‘Trikal’ Whisky from Market Amid Public Backlash from Hindus

    Radico Khaitan Pulls ‘Trikal’ Whisky from Market Amid Public Backlash from Hindus

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Savarkar

    Remembering How Congress Orchestrated the Mob Lynching of Veer Savarkar’s brother Dr Narayan Savarkar

    Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk to Visit Ram Temple in June

    Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk to Visit Ram Temple in June

    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
  • Economy
    • All
    • Business
    • Economy1
    • Finance
    Best ₹1 Crore Term Plans with Return of Premium: Benefits vs Cost

    Best ₹1 Crore Term Plans with Return of Premium: Benefits vs Cost

    Prime Minister Modi to Chair Key NITI Aayog Meeting Amid Push for Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Prime Minister Modi to Chair Key NITI Aayog Meeting Amid Push for Viksit Bharat by 2047

    International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    IMF Defends $1 Billion Bailout to Pakistan Amid India’s Concerns Over Terror Funding

    The Silent Revolution: How Quantum AI Is Rewriting Cybersecurity, Finance, and Warfare

    The Silent Revolution: How Quantum AI Is Rewriting Cybersecurity, Finance, and Warfare

    • Business
    • Finance
  • Defense
    • All
    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
    Mock Drills to Be Held Tomorrow in States Bordering Pakistan

    India’s Major Preparations After ‘Operation Sindoor’! Mock Drills to Be Held Tomorrow in States Bordering Pakistan

    What’s the Kaveri Engine and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

    What’s the Kaveri Engine and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

    New Satellite Images Reveal 3-Meter Crater at Pakistan’s Murid Air Base

    New Satellite Images Reveal 3-Meter Crater at Pakistan’s Murid Air Base

    India Fast-Tracks Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft

    India Fast-Tracks Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft to Counter China-Pak Threat

    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
  • Geopolitics
    • All
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Pakistan’s Nuclear Ambition: A Costly Shield Fueling Economic Woes

    Pakistan’s Nuclear Ambition: A Costly Shield Fueling Economic Woes

    UK

    UK: 50 Injured After Car Ploughs Into Crowd Celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League Victory

    World Bank

    India to Oppose World Bank’s $20 Billion Loan to Pakistan Over Terror Funding Fears

    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
  • Knowledge
    • All
    • Culture
    • Education
    • History
    • Indology
    How to Decide Between Amity and Manipal for Your Online MBA Journey

    How to Decide Between Amity and Manipal for Your Online MBA Journey

    Mughals, Delhi Sultans Out, Fresh Chapters on Indian Rulers, Mahakumbh Introduced: NCERT revises Class 7 books

    Mughals, Delhi Sultans Out, Fresh Chapters on Indian Rulers, Mahakumbh Introduced: NCERT revises Class 7 books

    Role of Consultants to Study in Ireland: How to Choose the Right One?

    Role of Consultants to Study in Ireland: How to Choose the Right One?

    The Complete Guide to Education Loan Interest Rates in 2025

    The Complete Guide to Education Loan Interest Rates in 2025

    • Culture
    • History
    • Indology
  • Law
  • Lounge
    • All
    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Games
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Satire
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    Cricket – More Than Just a Bat and Ball

    Cricket – More Than Just a Bat and Ball

    Lazer247 India – Best Online Sports Betting and Casino Platform

    Lazer247 India – Best Online Sports Betting and Casino Platform

    Adjustable Folding Adirondack Chair With Cup Holder – Customizable Support For Ultimate Relaxation

    Adjustable Folding Adirondack Chair With Cup Holder – Customizable Support For Ultimate Relaxation

    1win कैसीनो गेम्स: जब दांव से पहले रिवाज़ बन जाते हैं आदत और खेल का हिस्सा

    1win कैसीनो गेम्स: जब दांव से पहले रिवाज़ बन जाते हैं आदत और खेल का हिस्सा

    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Food
    • Health
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    • Satire
Tfipost.com
  • Premium
  • Politics
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
    Radico Khaitan Pulls ‘Trikal’ Whisky from Market Amid Public Backlash from Hindus

    Radico Khaitan Pulls ‘Trikal’ Whisky from Market Amid Public Backlash from Hindus

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Savarkar

    Remembering How Congress Orchestrated the Mob Lynching of Veer Savarkar’s brother Dr Narayan Savarkar

    Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk to Visit Ram Temple in June

    Errol Musk, father of Elon Musk to Visit Ram Temple in June

    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
  • Economy
    • All
    • Business
    • Economy1
    • Finance
    Best ₹1 Crore Term Plans with Return of Premium: Benefits vs Cost

    Best ₹1 Crore Term Plans with Return of Premium: Benefits vs Cost

    Prime Minister Modi to Chair Key NITI Aayog Meeting Amid Push for Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Prime Minister Modi to Chair Key NITI Aayog Meeting Amid Push for Viksit Bharat by 2047

    International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    IMF Defends $1 Billion Bailout to Pakistan Amid India’s Concerns Over Terror Funding

    The Silent Revolution: How Quantum AI Is Rewriting Cybersecurity, Finance, and Warfare

    The Silent Revolution: How Quantum AI Is Rewriting Cybersecurity, Finance, and Warfare

    • Business
    • Finance
  • Defense
    • All
    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
    Mock Drills to Be Held Tomorrow in States Bordering Pakistan

    India’s Major Preparations After ‘Operation Sindoor’! Mock Drills to Be Held Tomorrow in States Bordering Pakistan

    What’s the Kaveri Engine and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

    What’s the Kaveri Engine and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

    New Satellite Images Reveal 3-Meter Crater at Pakistan’s Murid Air Base

    New Satellite Images Reveal 3-Meter Crater at Pakistan’s Murid Air Base

    India Fast-Tracks Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft

    India Fast-Tracks Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft to Counter China-Pak Threat

    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
  • Geopolitics
    • All
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

    Pakistan’s Nuclear Ambition: A Costly Shield Fueling Economic Woes

    Pakistan’s Nuclear Ambition: A Costly Shield Fueling Economic Woes

    UK

    UK: 50 Injured After Car Ploughs Into Crowd Celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League Victory

    World Bank

    India to Oppose World Bank’s $20 Billion Loan to Pakistan Over Terror Funding Fears

    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
  • Knowledge
    • All
    • Culture
    • Education
    • History
    • Indology
    How to Decide Between Amity and Manipal for Your Online MBA Journey

    How to Decide Between Amity and Manipal for Your Online MBA Journey

    Mughals, Delhi Sultans Out, Fresh Chapters on Indian Rulers, Mahakumbh Introduced: NCERT revises Class 7 books

    Mughals, Delhi Sultans Out, Fresh Chapters on Indian Rulers, Mahakumbh Introduced: NCERT revises Class 7 books

    Role of Consultants to Study in Ireland: How to Choose the Right One?

    Role of Consultants to Study in Ireland: How to Choose the Right One?

    The Complete Guide to Education Loan Interest Rates in 2025

    The Complete Guide to Education Loan Interest Rates in 2025

    • Culture
    • History
    • Indology
  • Law
  • Lounge
    • All
    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Games
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Satire
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    Cricket – More Than Just a Bat and Ball

    Cricket – More Than Just a Bat and Ball

    Lazer247 India – Best Online Sports Betting and Casino Platform

    Lazer247 India – Best Online Sports Betting and Casino Platform

    Adjustable Folding Adirondack Chair With Cup Holder – Customizable Support For Ultimate Relaxation

    Adjustable Folding Adirondack Chair With Cup Holder – Customizable Support For Ultimate Relaxation

    1win कैसीनो गेम्स: जब दांव से पहले रिवाज़ बन जाते हैं आदत और खेल का हिस्सा

    1win कैसीनो गेम्स: जब दांव से पहले रिवाज़ बन जाते हैं आदत और खेल का हिस्सा

    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Food
    • Health
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    • Satire
No Result
View All Result
Tfipost.com
Tfipost.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Defense
  • Geopolitics
  • Knowledge
  • Law
  • Lounge

Wendy Doniger, bendy laws

Guest Author by Guest Author
12 February 2014
in Analysis
Share on FacebookShare on X

Keeping a few Nazis off the streets of Skokie will serve Jews poorly if it means that the freedoms to speak, publish or assemble are thereby weakened

~ Aryeh Neie, ACLU Executive Director in 1979, defending neo-Nazis in a case for the freedom of speech in Skokie, Illinois in 1979. Aryeh’s relatives were killed in Hitler’s concentration camps 

RelatedPosts

Radico Khaitan Pulls ‘Trikal’ Whisky from Market Amid Public Backlash from Hindus

Bangladesh Supreme Court Frees Jamaat Leader Azharul Islam Behind 1971 Bangladeshi Hindu Genocide

Remembering How Congress Orchestrated the Mob Lynching of Veer Savarkar’s brother Dr Narayan Savarkar

Load More

Recent weeks have seen yet another controversy erupting around freedom of speech and expression – this time, it is Wendy Doniger and her book The Hindus: An Alternative History, which has outraged the religious sentiments of large sections the Hindu community across the world. First off, let us look at the facts of the case:

  1. Doniger is a Professor at the University of Chicago, in the cross-disciplinary field of interpretive religion studies focusing on Hinduism
  2. She has written a book called The Hindus: An Alternative History, in which she attempts to undertake a psychoanalytical interpretation of Hindu myths
  3. This work has been opposed primarily on grounds of religious sentiments, and this claim is bolstered with a multi-pronged attack on 
    1. Her understanding of Sanskrit
    2. Her claims of authority on Indic religions
    3. Her lack of background on psychoanalytical theory and practice, and the admitted inadequacy of psychoanalysis on historical works of a foreign culture
    4. Her adherence to academic feminism, which is scurrilously linked to her obsession with sex
  4. The groups that attacked the work pointed out several flaws in the book, and approached the courts. As part of the settlement reached between Penguin India and the claimants, Penguin withdrew the book in India and has announced its decision to pulp all copies of the book

Now, there has been no violence, no street agitation, no open threats to the author – the matter was taken up in the courts of law, and a decision has been reached between the publishers and the claimants. Now, I have to wonder at a few points:

  1. Why are all individuals associated with the protest being called hardcore Hindutva-vadis?
  2. Why is nobody interested in reading the content of the book?
  3. Why is the suppression of the book being celebrated as a victory of Hinduism?
  4. Why is nobody addressing the fact that the law that has been invoked to suppress, Clause (2) of Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, is vague at best and insidious at worst? 

I am completely aware of the explanations ranging from Hindu-hatred to Leftist atheism that are doing the rounds of social media these days. I do not have any evidence that would suggest any of them are inadequate or plain wrong. To these explanations, I want to add a more generous hypothesis – Doniger is used to the American standards of freedom of speech and expression as well as American standards of academic freedom, which are pretty much absolute barring a few incidents. Tenured professors are legally protected from being expelled for stating anything from hate speech to racism to Intelligent Design to Holocaust denial. It is therefore possible that Doniger expected similar standards of freedom of speech across the world in general and in India in particular. 

However, one of my main takeaways from the situation is that we need tighter, better defined laws that cannot be used in this way to stifle freedom of speech and expression – at a prescriptive level, I personally side pretty much towards the American model of absolute freedom of expression. I might disagree with and be offended by words or voices; however, to me it does not mean that I want to give up my right to express what I want merely because what others say or write offends me.

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Chai pe Charcha – 12th Feb 2014

Next Post

Hare Ram, Hare Krishna

Related Posts

PM Narendra Modi with Armed Forces Personnel after 'Operation Sindoor',
Analysis

BJP State Units Hail PM Modi, Forces for Triumph in ‘Operation Sindoor’, Reassert Nationalist Narrative

21 May 2025

In the wake of India’s decisive military response to Pakistan, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state governments...

Explainer: How did Donald Trump come up with ‘discounted’ reciprocal tariffs for countries
Analysis

Explainer: How did Donald Trump come up with ‘discounted’ reciprocal tariffs for countries

3 April 2025

The Trump administration's declaration of retaliatory tariffs has caused alarm around the world, impacting even remote areas. He justified...

Waqf Board
Analysis

Beyond Religion: The Economic and Legal Realities of Waqf in India

3 April 2025

The Waqf Act in India is often perceived only as a religious issue, but in reality, it primarily deals...

Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Currently Playing

Pakistan needs money from IMF to feed their people

Pakistan needs money from IMF to feed their people

00:15:20

Vacate PoK and more: Steps Pakistan needs to take to avoid Indian military action

00:06:36

Taking The Wire’s Propaganda Piece on VP to the Cleaners – Feat. Prof. Kapil Kumar

00:09:19

Rahul Gandhi Undermines India’s Electoral Integrity as Trump Applauds It

00:07:09

Why Pakistan army chief reminds two nation theory| what is the plan| Waqf Bill |Asim Munir| Jinnah

00:13:02
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
tfipostTfipost.com
Right Wing | News Analysis | Indian Opinion
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

©2025 TFI Media Private Limited

No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Politics
    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
  • Economy
    • Business
    • Finance
  • Defense
    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
  • Geopolitics
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
  • Knowledge
    • Culture
    • History
    • Indology
  • Law
  • Lounge
    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Food
    • Health
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    • Satire
TFIPOST हिन्दी
TFIPOST Global

©2025 TFI Media Private Limited