Very true, so far as the List is concerned. But I am in India. I had that in mind.
I am unequivocally against censorship when a book does not break the law of the land.
I do not make stray comment on matters when the court is involved. But that does not mean that I cannot challenge in the court.

Best
Dipak Bhattacharya


On Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 4:29 PM, Dominik Wujastyk <wujastyk@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Prof. Bhattacharya,

I am not aware of any controversy in this INDOLOGY forum about Doniger's book The Hindus: An Alternative History.  As far as I am aware, all commentators have been unanimous in their condemnation of the attack on free speech and the withdrawal of the book from circulation in India. 

You say that you are not taking sides, that you hold no brief.  If that is true, you are alone here.  I think members of the list would be interested if you could offer a reasoned justification for not overtly supporting the freedom of expression in the academic study of religion.  If you cannot, or do not wish to, offer a plausible case for censorship, then you have indeed taken a side.

This is a time for scholars to speak out.

Dominik Wujastyk
University of Vienna



On 20 February 2014 11:37, Dipak Durgamohan Bhattacharya <dipak.d2004@gmail.com> wrote:

I had no desire to enter into the controversy. I am now in the dialogue because the NCERT has been brought in. The question may be answered without holding any brief for any of the parties involved in the first dispute.

The NCERT has no axe to grind. On history or allied matter its object is India or its components. A community may be the object of description but without a motive.   Its objective dispassionate approach acts like a shield.

Doniger’s approach is different. Hindus but no Hinduism, and the cart of ‘alternative history’ has been put before the horse of ‘induction’. Why not Hinduism if it is an academic approach? It is exceptional to find community-centric motivated approach in an NCERT book. In case of any such occurrence they are rectified.

I just pointed to the vulnerability of book without taking side.

Best

DB



On Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 12:26 AM, Stella Sandahl <ssandahl@sympatico.ca> wrote:
I have learnt from a reliable source that Mr. Batra initiated no less than ten lawsuits against NCERT's (NCERT stands for National Council for Educational Research and Training) textbooks during the years 2004-2010. He lost all of them. Isn't it strange that Penguin so easily gives in, when NCERT fought back and won. One would assume that a great company like Penguin can manage the legal fees involved.
Best to all
Stella Sandahl



Professor Stella Sandahl 9retired)
Department of East Asian Studies
 
130 St. George St. room 14087
Toronto, ON M5S 3H1
Tel. (416) 978-4295
Fax. (416) 978-5711




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