Another book 'On Hinduism' by Wendy Doniger under attack

NEW DELHI: Another book on Hinduism by American indologist Wendy Doniger has come under attack from the same Delhi-based group which had compelled the publishers of an earlier work by her to withdraw the title.

Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti (SBAS) today demanded that the Aleph Book Company stop sales and pulp all remaining copies of Doniger's book 'On Hinduism', published in 2013.

Dina Nath Batra, who had led the charge against Doniger's previous book, said that the contents of 'On Hinduism' were, like the previous work, "malicious and offending".

"She has used derogatory terms for Hindu deities, which hurts the sentiments of devotees," Batra charged. The book is part of a conspiracy hatched by "pseudo secularists" to tarnish the image of Hindu culture and India, he alleged.

"It is part of a conspiracy hatched by the children of (Karl) Marx and (Thomas) Macaulay to tarnish the image of Hindu culture. There are certain pseudo secularists who are behind this conspiracy," Batra alleged.

Atul Kothari, co-convener of SBAS, said the publishers had assured that they would pulp the book within a week but, if that did not happen, legal recourse would be taken.

"We have been given an oral assurance by the publishers that the sales of the book will be stalled. The publishers have been given a week's time to provide an assurance in writing, failing which, SBAS would... move the judiciary," Kothari said.

The publisher, when contacted, however, declined to comment on the issue.

Doniger's 2009 book, 'The Hindus: An Alternative History', was pulped by Penguin following a row over its contents.

She has been accused by SBAS of using content which is "derogatory and offending to Hinduism" and "misrepresents facts".

"Recalling this book is essential because (Doniger), a so- called scholar, has misrepresented India and Hinduism. If research studies are carried out in future on Hinduism and her book is referred to, it will lead to an alteration of facts.

"That is not correct; therefore, we demand this book be recalled and banned," said Kothari.

Citing Article 295 (A) of Indian Penal Code, Batra said, "Article 295 (A) states that deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs shall be punished with imprisonment or fine, or both."