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Why I Am a Hindu
Shashi Tharoor offers a profound re-examination of Hinduism, one of the world's oldest and greatest religious traditions.
Opening with a frank and touching reflection on his personal beliefs, he lays out Hinduism's origins and its key philosophical concepts — including Vedanta, the Purusharthas, and Bhakti — before focusing on texts such as the Bhagadvagita. The 'Great Souls', or key individuals of Hinduism, from Adi Shankara to Vivekananda, are discussed, as are everyday Hindu beliefs and practices, from worship to pilgrimage to caste.
Tharoor is unsparing in his criticism of extremism and unequivocal in his belief that what makes India a distinctive nation with a unique culture will be imperilled if Hindu 'fundamentalists', the proponents of 'Hindutva', or politicised Hinduism, seize the high ground. In his view, it is precisely because Hindus form the majority that India has survived as a plural, secular democracy.
A book that will be read and debated now and in the future, Why I Am a Hindu, written in Tharoor's captivating prose, is a revelatory and original contribution to our understanding of religion in the modern era.
Opening with a frank and touching reflection on his personal beliefs, he lays out Hinduism's origins and its key philosophical concepts — including Vedanta, the Purusharthas, and Bhakti — before focusing on texts such as the Bhagadvagita. The 'Great Souls', or key individuals of Hinduism, from Adi Shankara to Vivekananda, are discussed, as are everyday Hindu beliefs and practices, from worship to pilgrimage to caste.
Tharoor is unsparing in his criticism of extremism and unequivocal in his belief that what makes India a distinctive nation with a unique culture will be imperilled if Hindu 'fundamentalists', the proponents of 'Hindutva', or politicised Hinduism, seize the high ground. In his view, it is precisely because Hindus form the majority that India has survived as a plural, secular democracy.
A book that will be read and debated now and in the future, Why I Am a Hindu, written in Tharoor's captivating prose, is a revelatory and original contribution to our understanding of religion in the modern era.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
1380 people are currently reading
7861 people want to read
About the author
Shashi Tharoor
76 books3,064 followersShashi Tharoor is a member of the Indian Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala. He previously served as the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information and as the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
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February 14, 2018
Why I Am A Hindu comes out at a time where the present government's loyalty lies in the cows in the country rather than the human population, where gaurakshaks impart the law unhindered, where the difference between life and death is a moustache, a beard or a burqa, and where self-imposed moral police decides what you should and should not do in your personal life; all in the name of religion, in the name of Hinduism. At a time where citizens are losing faith in Hinduism as a result of all the atrocities being done in its name, Shashi Tharoor through his book reminds us, as well as the bigots in the country as to what exactly Hinduism stands for.
Divided into three sections, Tharoor, in his latest book, begins with a close examination of his own belief in Hinduism, from tracing its origins to dwelling deep into the ideologies of Hinduism. He profoundly talks about the Great Souls of Hinduism like Adi Shankara, Patanjali, Ramanuja and especially Vivekananda, who he quotes time and again throughout the book. He examines lessons from the Gita, talks immensely about the Hinduism's most important schools of thought, and had me reliving long forgotten legends associated with Hinduism that were passed on to me by my parents and teachers during my childhood. As he emphasizes the pluralistic and open-ended nature of Hinduism, thoroughly backed with facts, I was often left in awe of the religion that in recent times have often made me cringe.
In the subsequent sections, he examines in great detail the actions of the Hindutva brigades in the name of Hinduism, which lies in stark contrast to the ideologies professed by Hinduism. He relentlessly criticises the right-wing organisations for the communal violence that has swept the country, the intolerable actions of the lawmakers from curriculum revisions that favour their ideologies to cow vigilantism, and tells us how India will perish in the hands of these religious fundamentalists.
A much, much anticipated release of 2018 from Aleph Book Company, I am absolutely in love with this book. I loved how the entire book was constructed, especially the remarkable way in which it was divided and the much precise manner in which each aspect of Hinduism was presented-from its origin to its greatest glory to the current scenario where it is being highly misused and mistaken. However, I wish the book had come with a glossary. Even though the important aspects of the Hindu philosophy was written in a much simple language, I was often left groping in the dark as he dwelled deeper into each subject; probably due to my lack of knowledge and/or my terrible memory.
Reading Why I Am A Hindu By Shashi Tharoor was truly an eye-opener for me as it took me to the roots of Hinduism, unearthing facts (and long forgotten legends even) that renders the religion its uniqueness, instilling in me a much-suppressed pride of being a Hindu. I urge everyone, Hindus and non-Hindus alike, to read this book, to understand that the Hinduism being promoted by the bigots in the country and the atrocities in its name are not what the Hinduism as believed and practised by the Great Souls of Hinduism like Swami Vivekananda is. It is time that we reclaimed Hinduism, and restore its disintegrating greatness before it perishes for once and for all.
Divided into three sections, Tharoor, in his latest book, begins with a close examination of his own belief in Hinduism, from tracing its origins to dwelling deep into the ideologies of Hinduism. He profoundly talks about the Great Souls of Hinduism like Adi Shankara, Patanjali, Ramanuja and especially Vivekananda, who he quotes time and again throughout the book. He examines lessons from the Gita, talks immensely about the Hinduism's most important schools of thought, and had me reliving long forgotten legends associated with Hinduism that were passed on to me by my parents and teachers during my childhood. As he emphasizes the pluralistic and open-ended nature of Hinduism, thoroughly backed with facts, I was often left in awe of the religion that in recent times have often made me cringe.
In the subsequent sections, he examines in great detail the actions of the Hindutva brigades in the name of Hinduism, which lies in stark contrast to the ideologies professed by Hinduism. He relentlessly criticises the right-wing organisations for the communal violence that has swept the country, the intolerable actions of the lawmakers from curriculum revisions that favour their ideologies to cow vigilantism, and tells us how India will perish in the hands of these religious fundamentalists.
A much, much anticipated release of 2018 from Aleph Book Company, I am absolutely in love with this book. I loved how the entire book was constructed, especially the remarkable way in which it was divided and the much precise manner in which each aspect of Hinduism was presented-from its origin to its greatest glory to the current scenario where it is being highly misused and mistaken. However, I wish the book had come with a glossary. Even though the important aspects of the Hindu philosophy was written in a much simple language, I was often left groping in the dark as he dwelled deeper into each subject; probably due to my lack of knowledge and/or my terrible memory.
Reading Why I Am A Hindu By Shashi Tharoor was truly an eye-opener for me as it took me to the roots of Hinduism, unearthing facts (and long forgotten legends even) that renders the religion its uniqueness, instilling in me a much-suppressed pride of being a Hindu. I urge everyone, Hindus and non-Hindus alike, to read this book, to understand that the Hinduism being promoted by the bigots in the country and the atrocities in its name are not what the Hinduism as believed and practised by the Great Souls of Hinduism like Swami Vivekananda is. It is time that we reclaimed Hinduism, and restore its disintegrating greatness before it perishes for once and for all.
January 15, 2024
I've always been a big fan of Tharoor's writing. So when I saw this title, I thought I can try my hand at a not-so-liked genre of religion; maybe Tharoor's intellect and style would make it easier to read if not outright appealing. Frankly, I was disappointed to read this.
I have learnt a lot about my country and its culture by reading his books. This book, I had expected, would give me a good grounding in Hinduism, my own religion that I know so little of. But the ideas of Hinduism mentioned in the book fail to form a complete picture.
I have learnt a lot about my country and its culture by reading his books. This book, I had expected, would give me a good grounding in Hinduism, my own religion that I know so little of. But the ideas of Hinduism mentioned in the book fail to form a complete picture.
September 19, 2020
সনাতন তথা হিন্দু ধর্ম বিশ্বের প্রভাবশালী সেমেটিক অর্থাৎ ইহুদি,খ্রিষ্টান ও ইসলাম ধর্মের মতো নয়। কারণ এই ধর্মে একক কোনো গ্রন্থ বা আচারবিধি নেই যা মানতেই হবে। এখানেই হিন্দুধর্মের সৌন্দর্য। শশী থারুর মনে করেন, হিন্দুইজম ধর্মের চাইতে বড়ো বেশি কিছু। এটি একটি সংস্কৃতি। যা ব্যক্তি,গোত্র কিংবা অঞ্চলভেদে ভিন্ন হতে পারে। যেমন- ইচ্ছে করলে একজন হিন্দু তেত্রিশ কোটি দেব-দেবতায় বিশ্বাস করতে পারেন। আবার চাইলে ব্যক্তিগতভাবে কোনো দেব-দেবীর আরাধনা করতে পারেন। নিরাকার স্রষ্টার উপাসনা করলেও তাকে অহিন্দু বলা যাবে না। কেননা উপনিষদে নিরাকার ঈশ্বরের কথা বলা হয়েছে। হিন্দু দর্শনের ছয়টি প্রধান ঘরনার একটি হলো চার্বাকিয় দর্শন। যেখানে কেউ ঈশ্বরে বিশ্বাস না করেও হিন্দু হতে পারেন। অর্থাৎ 'ভালো হিন্দু'র কোনো সর্বজনগ্রাহ্য সংজ্ঞা নেই। মূলত এখানেই হিন্দু ধর্মের মহত্ত্ব। অসংখ্য পথের যে-কোনো একটি পথ অবলম্বন করে আপনি স্রষ্টার আরাধনা করতে পারবেন। শশী থারুর হিন্দুধর্মের এই সাংস্কৃতিক বৈচিত্র্যকে সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ জ্ঞান করেন।
বীর সাভারকার, গোলওয়ালকর ও দীন দয়াল উপাধ্যায়েরা হিন্দুধর্মের একরৈখিক ব্যাখা করে কীভাবে ভারতীয় বহুত্ববাদের চূড়ান্ত ধ্বংস সাধন করেছে তা বিশদ লিখেছেন শশী থারুর। মোদিজি এই এই হিন্দুত্ববাদের পূজারি। সে গুজরাটে হত্যার জন্য দায়ী।
ঋকবেদে একাধিকবার ঋষিদের গোমাংস ভোজনের কথা এসেছে। সবচেয়ে বড়ো কথা ধর্মের দোহাই দিয়ে অপরের খাদ্যাভাসে বাধা দেওয়ার কোনো অধিকার প্রকৃত হিন্দুত্ববাদের নেই। বহুত্ববাদ হিন্দুইজমের সৌন্দর্য। তাকে বিনষ্ট করাই উগ্র হিন্দু জাতীয়তাবাদের লক্ষ্য যার নেতৃত্ব দিচ্ছেন মোদিজি।
বাঙালি মুসলমান হিসেবে আমার সনাতনধর্ম সম্পর্কে ন্যূনতম জ্ঞান থাকা উচিত। শশী থারুরের এই গ্রন্থ হিন্দুধর্মের বহুত্ববাদী বৈচিত্র্য সম্পর্কে স্পষ্ট ধারণা দিয়েছে। মোদিজির দল হিন্দুধর্মের অপব্যাখা মাধ্যমে দুই সম্প্রদায়ের মাধ্যমে তিক্ততা সৃষ্টির যে চেষ্টা করছেন তা প্রশমিত করতে এই বইটি সহায়তা করতে পারে। মুসলমানদের হিন্দুধর্ম নিয়ে অনেক কৌতূহল নিবৃত্ত করতে পারে এবং হিন্দুদেরকে বোঝাতে পারে হিন্দুইজম মানে স্রেফ গোমাংস ভোজনকারীকে হত্যা করা, মসজিদ ভাঙা কিংবা একক কোনো মতবাদে হওয়া বিশ্বাসী। মতবাদের বৈচিত্র্যতাই হিন্দুইজমকে গৌরবান্বিত করে। একজন ঋষি বলেছিলেন, " I respect your truth, please respect ours." শশী থারুর লিখেছেন,
"I too am proud of my Hinduism; I do not want to cede its verities to fanatics. I consider myself a Hindu and a nationalist, but I am not a Hindu nationalist. To discriminate against another, to attack another, to kill another, to destroy another’s place of worship, on the basis of his faith is not part of Hindu dharma, as it was not part of Swami Vivekananda’s. It is time to go back to these fundamentals of Hinduism. It is time to rescue Hindu dharma from the fundamentalists. "
বীর সাভারকার, গোলওয়ালকর ও দীন দয়াল উপাধ্যায়েরা হিন্দুধর্মের একরৈখিক ব্যাখা করে কীভাবে ভারতীয় বহুত্ববাদের চূড়ান্ত ধ্বংস সাধন করেছে তা বিশদ লিখেছেন শশী থারুর। মোদিজি এই এই হিন্দুত্ববাদের পূজারি। সে গুজরাটে হত্যার জন্য দায়ী।
ঋকবেদে একাধিকবার ঋষিদের গোমাংস ভোজনের কথা এসেছে। সবচেয়ে বড়ো কথা ধর্মের দোহাই দিয়ে অপরের খাদ্যাভাসে বাধা দেওয়ার কোনো অধিকার প্রকৃত হিন্দুত্ববাদের নেই। বহুত্ববাদ হিন্দুইজমের সৌন্দর্য। তাকে বিনষ্ট করাই উগ্র হিন্দু জাতীয়তাবাদের লক্ষ্য যার নেতৃত্ব দিচ্ছেন মোদিজি।
বাঙালি মুসলমান হিসেবে আমার সনাতনধর্ম সম্পর্কে ন্যূনতম জ্ঞান থাকা উচিত। শশী থারুরের এই গ্রন্থ হিন্দুধর্মের বহুত্ববাদী বৈচিত্র্য সম্পর্কে স্পষ্ট ধারণা দিয়েছে। মোদিজির দল হিন্দুধর্মের অপব্যাখা মাধ্যমে দুই সম্প্রদায়ের মাধ্যমে তিক্ততা সৃষ্টির যে চেষ্টা করছেন তা প্রশমিত করতে এই বইটি সহায়তা করতে পারে। মুসলমানদের হিন্দুধর্ম নিয়ে অনেক কৌতূহল নিবৃত্ত করতে পারে এবং হিন্দুদেরকে বোঝাতে পারে হিন্দুইজম মানে স্রেফ গোমাংস ভোজনকারীকে হত্যা করা, মসজিদ ভাঙা কিংবা একক কোনো মতবাদে হওয়া বিশ্বাসী। মতবাদের বৈচিত্র্যতাই হিন্দুইজমকে গৌরবান্বিত করে। একজন ঋষি বলেছিলেন, " I respect your truth, please respect ours." শশী থারুর লিখেছেন,
"I too am proud of my Hinduism; I do not want to cede its verities to fanatics. I consider myself a Hindu and a nationalist, but I am not a Hindu nationalist. To discriminate against another, to attack another, to kill another, to destroy another’s place of worship, on the basis of his faith is not part of Hindu dharma, as it was not part of Swami Vivekananda’s. It is time to go back to these fundamentals of Hinduism. It is time to rescue Hindu dharma from the fundamentalists. "
March 5, 2018
This is one of the most misleading and dishonest books ever written. Politically motivated and historically miseading is the shortest review one can write. It is quite evident that the author himself is unaware about the fundamentals of Hinduism when he says the following.
" I see Hinduism as uniquely a religion without fundamentals. "
One can say that he has done a fine cut and paste job in the first half of the book with his own vague and unclear thoughts peppered with readable prose.
The second half is nothing but political propaganda aimed at his adversaries and has nothing in relation to the question 'Why Shashi Tharoor is Hindu'. He trains his guns on RSS, Golwalkar, Savarkar, Modi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay. In the process he only convinces the validity of philosophy Deen Dayal Updhayay. His analysis of Golwalkar and Savarkar is biased as does not recongnise that their ideas were in reaction to those of the vile propaganda by Muslim League.
A further analysis can be read here. http://www.opindia.com/2018/02/shashi...
" I see Hinduism as uniquely a religion without fundamentals. "
One can say that he has done a fine cut and paste job in the first half of the book with his own vague and unclear thoughts peppered with readable prose.
The second half is nothing but political propaganda aimed at his adversaries and has nothing in relation to the question 'Why Shashi Tharoor is Hindu'. He trains his guns on RSS, Golwalkar, Savarkar, Modi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay. In the process he only convinces the validity of philosophy Deen Dayal Updhayay. His analysis of Golwalkar and Savarkar is biased as does not recongnise that their ideas were in reaction to those of the vile propaganda by Muslim League.
A further analysis can be read here. http://www.opindia.com/2018/02/shashi...
January 22, 2019
At the onset of this book and thereafter at multiple junctures, the author Shashi Tharoor distils the overall message and concept of Hinduism into a phrase from the Upanishads which is : ’ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti’. This means : ”That which exists is One; the sages call It by various names” and there could not have been an easier way to sum up Tharoor’s definition of what being a Hindu is all about. This medium sized book begins with a much interesting premise of trying to explain what Hinduism meant much before it morphed into the populist chest thumping of ‘Hindutva’ and also of why a way of life in the form of Hinduism is still relevant in today’s world. The book succeeds in this by small measures and having been used to Tharoor’s eloquent articulation skills, the final chapters of this book were a let-down for me as a reader.
The tried and tested way is what Tharoor takes to explain Hinduism : he goes to the earliest known representations of the belief structure and then tracks the possible roads that it would have taken to evolve into the new shape and form. Hinduism travels through the Upanishads and the Vedas and later through the mythological structures of Puranas (myths) and Ithihasas (the epics). Along these travels, the image of God also starts taking a different shape. The Upanishads imagine the uber entity as Brahman – an all pervading presence which has neither shape nor form and is not restricted by gender divisions. This however was a tad too aloof a figure for the common lot to worship and thus the Vedas further filtered this concept to the creation of anthropomorphic deities that people could associate with. Tharoor traces the growth and assimilation of Hinduism into its many distinct and diverse forms and this is a pleasure to read. All the while he keeps reasserting the plurality and accommodating nature of the religion.
The next set of chapters are on the stalwarts of Hinduism – Swami Vivekananda, Adi Shankara, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and many others along with short, concise versions of their teachings. It is absolutely riveting to read about Vivekananda and his teachings which hit home with searing effect even in today’s world. From here on, Tharoor moves on to Political Hinduism or Hindutva.
Alas, here is where the book lost its charm for me. Granted that Hinduism and Hindutva are like chalk and cheese but the idea behind the book was why one should be a Hindu and not why one should not adhere to Hindutva. Tharoor spends almost 30% of the book describing, decrying and dissecting the political rivals of his own Congress party – the RSS and the BJP. Here too he takes a logical route by going first through the writings of the first leaders of RSS – V. D. Savarkar, M.S. Golwalkar, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. These make for some very interesting studies and viewpoints from Tharoor.
He inevitably arrives at the so-called ills that have been visited on India by the rule of the BJP and this reads pretty much akin to very polished version of what one political party might say about its rival. If the BJP had someone whose skills at articulation were as phenomenal as Tharoor's, they would certainly have written a similar book on the six decades of Congress rule in India ! My point being that Tharoor has drifted away from being a dispassionate chronicler of Hinduism in his role as the author of this book and dons the garb of a politician which is his day job. The end result is that objectivity of this topic suffers in the bargain. Barring a few paragraphs towards the end, Tharoor does not elaborate much on why is he a Hindu and why it matters to a reader.
Not Tharoor’s best work. Interesting in places but certainly not an unbiased account.
Note : The rating is very close to 3 stars but not really there. Somewhere around 2.8 or so but no, not really 3 ! This has more to do with me as a reader who is not really fond of political ideology deftly hidden in books which promise otherwise.
The tried and tested way is what Tharoor takes to explain Hinduism : he goes to the earliest known representations of the belief structure and then tracks the possible roads that it would have taken to evolve into the new shape and form. Hinduism travels through the Upanishads and the Vedas and later through the mythological structures of Puranas (myths) and Ithihasas (the epics). Along these travels, the image of God also starts taking a different shape. The Upanishads imagine the uber entity as Brahman – an all pervading presence which has neither shape nor form and is not restricted by gender divisions. This however was a tad too aloof a figure for the common lot to worship and thus the Vedas further filtered this concept to the creation of anthropomorphic deities that people could associate with. Tharoor traces the growth and assimilation of Hinduism into its many distinct and diverse forms and this is a pleasure to read. All the while he keeps reasserting the plurality and accommodating nature of the religion.
The next set of chapters are on the stalwarts of Hinduism – Swami Vivekananda, Adi Shankara, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and many others along with short, concise versions of their teachings. It is absolutely riveting to read about Vivekananda and his teachings which hit home with searing effect even in today’s world. From here on, Tharoor moves on to Political Hinduism or Hindutva.
Alas, here is where the book lost its charm for me. Granted that Hinduism and Hindutva are like chalk and cheese but the idea behind the book was why one should be a Hindu and not why one should not adhere to Hindutva. Tharoor spends almost 30% of the book describing, decrying and dissecting the political rivals of his own Congress party – the RSS and the BJP. Here too he takes a logical route by going first through the writings of the first leaders of RSS – V. D. Savarkar, M.S. Golwalkar, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. These make for some very interesting studies and viewpoints from Tharoor.
He inevitably arrives at the so-called ills that have been visited on India by the rule of the BJP and this reads pretty much akin to very polished version of what one political party might say about its rival. If the BJP had someone whose skills at articulation were as phenomenal as Tharoor's, they would certainly have written a similar book on the six decades of Congress rule in India ! My point being that Tharoor has drifted away from being a dispassionate chronicler of Hinduism in his role as the author of this book and dons the garb of a politician which is his day job. The end result is that objectivity of this topic suffers in the bargain. Barring a few paragraphs towards the end, Tharoor does not elaborate much on why is he a Hindu and why it matters to a reader.
Not Tharoor’s best work. Interesting in places but certainly not an unbiased account.
Note : The rating is very close to 3 stars but not really there. Somewhere around 2.8 or so but no, not really 3 ! This has more to do with me as a reader who is not really fond of political ideology deftly hidden in books which promise otherwise.
February 8, 2018
If I could force every right thinking Indian to read this book, I would. In a nation where I’m increasingly ashamed to call myself a Hindu because of the atrocities being committed in the name of the religion of my ancestors, this book is a timely reminder of what the religion actually is.
The Hinduism I grew up with is inclusive and accepting. It is a religion which allowed me to explore my own faith, move away from rituals, brand myself first as an atheist and then as an agnostic, without (I now realise) ever leaving the faith I was born into.
It’s time we reclaimed our religion from people who see only the smallest part of it and want to shove that down our throats.
The Hinduism I grew up with is inclusive and accepting. It is a religion which allowed me to explore my own faith, move away from rituals, brand myself first as an atheist and then as an agnostic, without (I now realise) ever leaving the faith I was born into.
It’s time we reclaimed our religion from people who see only the smallest part of it and want to shove that down our throats.
September 28, 2019
Good first half but then this book became agenda driven when author start mentioning about his rival political party. This is the problem with writers who are associate with political party, they are always biased. I generally avoid books like this but i don't know why i even bothered to read it. There were days when writers used to be honest with their books but now it seems it doesn't.
Just don't bothered to read it.
Just don't bothered to read it.
February 4, 2021
Started reading this book, thinking that I would come to know something about the culture and history about Hinduism. First half of book goes well, the second half of the book is only about the rival political party of the author. Sad that Mr.Tharoor had to use the title of the book only to a political gain and not much about the title. Not happy with the book.
March 23, 2018
This book can be very conveniently divided into two parts -
1. Understanding Hinduism right from its origin to its current understanding
2. Political Hinduism
I absolutely loved the first part, and it made me cognizant of the faith that I was born into and still uphold. He could have written a whole book on decoding and extolling Hinduism in a fashion that is comprehensible to the millenials as well as reinforcing the views of the more learned of the spectrum. I almost impulsively ordered a copy of Bhagvad Gita after reading so much about it in the first part of the book.
I don't understand why the second part of the book - Political Hinduism, excoriating right wing Hindu nationalists needed to be there. The book says - "Why I am a Hindu", I did not sign up for a yet another political ranting by Tharoor in order to gratify his political agenda.
No doubt, he is adroit at convincing you in what he feels is right with logical and systemic reasoning, but his constant cribbing against Hindutvavadis/Sanghis/Bhakts creates a monotonic rant. Also, there is this trend I have observed in Tharoor's books, he tends to repeat the same stuff in the same book quite often which sometimes looks like a paucity of ideas rather than reinforcement.
Tharoor is one of my favorite writers and I think he could have done a better job.
1. Understanding Hinduism right from its origin to its current understanding
2. Political Hinduism
I absolutely loved the first part, and it made me cognizant of the faith that I was born into and still uphold. He could have written a whole book on decoding and extolling Hinduism in a fashion that is comprehensible to the millenials as well as reinforcing the views of the more learned of the spectrum. I almost impulsively ordered a copy of Bhagvad Gita after reading so much about it in the first part of the book.
I don't understand why the second part of the book - Political Hinduism, excoriating right wing Hindu nationalists needed to be there. The book says - "Why I am a Hindu", I did not sign up for a yet another political ranting by Tharoor in order to gratify his political agenda.
No doubt, he is adroit at convincing you in what he feels is right with logical and systemic reasoning, but his constant cribbing against Hindutvavadis/Sanghis/Bhakts creates a monotonic rant. Also, there is this trend I have observed in Tharoor's books, he tends to repeat the same stuff in the same book quite often which sometimes looks like a paucity of ideas rather than reinforcement.
Tharoor is one of my favorite writers and I think he could have done a better job.
January 3, 2019
Shashi Tharoor is one of my favourite authors. I like his style of narration, word choice/vocabulary and personality. I have read his books previously to get some insights into something which I am not aware of it and I am not disappointed with him. However, Last two books of him, one on History/britishers/Indian history were not up to the mark except from the Vocab and his style.
Moreover, I felt the books were written for the purpose of writing something. Same is the fate of this book. I really don't know why he is doing so. Felt both of the books are politically motivated.
Those who are here to read something interesting, should avoid it. These things are common, in present government we can here some chest thumping claims of our glorious pasts and various rituals etc. Those who still want to read such books for the sake of style and Vocab should go for it. I think, investing your time for such books would be waste of time.
Moreover, I felt the books were written for the purpose of writing something. Same is the fate of this book. I really don't know why he is doing so. Felt both of the books are politically motivated.
Those who are here to read something interesting, should avoid it. These things are common, in present government we can here some chest thumping claims of our glorious pasts and various rituals etc. Those who still want to read such books for the sake of style and Vocab should go for it. I think, investing your time for such books would be waste of time.
August 12, 2020
I don't know why do I feel that the author is moving north but aiming south in this book... you will realise it once you read the book objectively and then you know about the deception theory... Tharoor is a smug with his farce diction!
July 30, 2020
Well, Mr Tharoor, with his eloquent English, has made yet another blunder – or, we may not be knowing this, this may just a routine to corner Hindus on their own motherland... coming from a person who thinks that Mughals are more Indians that us, this book only deceives the idea of being a Hindu and tries to sabotage the faith. Don't only avoid it, raise your concerns and register your contempt.
July 9, 2020
This is a classic example of deception. Title tells a different story and the content sings an entirely different song. With the promise to tell you about the life of the protagonist, the author has done everything he could to glorify the antagonist.
November 23, 2019
If I was to give a rating for the first 138 pgs I would give 4 out of five stars. But the book's as deceptive as the author himself, it has Political approach from 139 pgs nearly 300 pgs.
The Second Part of the novel under Political Hinduism has a three-point approach- 1. Hinduism is great plural and enigmatic, not puritanical. 2. What Hindutva people do wrong. 3. The Bjp is responsible or gives some examples of what the Bjp had done. It is nothing but a political rant using Hinduism as a shield to conquer the masses of readers.
Let me be precise:
1. We cannot call terrorists -Islamic Terrorists since they literally betray and go against their principles. Accepted. Then why Goons are called Hindutva Goons. Is that what Hinduism professed?
2. pg: 212, Tharoor has refrained using Aryan Invasion ''THEORY''. ''in theory — used in describing what is supposed to happen or be possible, usually with the implication that it does not in fact happen''. He doesn't seem to have understood the implication of theory. Using flowery words is welcome but ignoring smaller words is not correct. Until it is a fact we can challenge the other side of arguments. Tharoor emphasizes we need to listen and develop a way to listen to others ' opinions; he has proved his hypocrisy in this matter by stating the arguments made by others as HINDUTVA THEORY and RSS- INCLINED HISTORIANS. When every evidence presented by someone is in par with his conscience he uses the word HISTORIAN, something opposite he does use this Hindu chauvinist, Right inclined historians.
https://m.economictimes.com/news/poli...- nation/rakhigarhi-dna-study-questions-aryan-invasion-theory-claims- author/articleshow/71001985.cms
3. Let me tell you how he picks on favourable sources to spin his own story. I remember Aurangzeb as the cruellest emperor of Mughals and he worked for hand in gloves with British. This was in my childhood when the Bjp was not a major party and my state never had Bjp ruling. Sashi Tharoor as I told above used a historian's work( which he never told LEFT inclined) Audrey Truschke vindicate Aurangzeb and told he was a cool person except for some tyrannical behaviour. Tharoor points some Hindus who talk Aurangzeb as a tyrant and they want to change the name of the street or place on his name. Apart from a few historians, many in the rein of Congress had supplied in the schools and other places Aurangzeb was a tyrant. Do read about him in Britannica, it portrayed him as bad as what I read.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/...
Let's take Tharoor as some person who supports the work of a historian who gathered information which was not available in the past and came to a conclusion. Then why not he against Tippu Jayanthi who massacred many Hindus and these were not mere speculations but the letters written by Tippu himself to his commander asking how many were converted and killed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dn5v...
4. The argument now proceeds on Books. pg no: 228, he told, '' One of the Doniger's books on Hinduism was not only withdrawn but also pulped in order not to give offence to the Hindutavavadis''. 227, '' The Hindutva mobs attacked and vandalized the invaluable Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Library in Pune to protest its co-operation with the research work of the historian James Laine''. Here I reckon Congress government banned many books including Red Sari, Reminiscences of the Nehru Age. Do read the short paragraph from https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/...
When the book’s Indian publication was first planned in 2010, officials from Gandhi’s party, the Indian National Congress (popularly known simply as Congress), described it as “defamatory, inaccurate and unsubstantiated” and threatened legal action, while her supporters burned effigies of Moro in Delhi. Gandhi herself was said by aides to have seen a copy of the work and to have been “saddened”.
So, Congress Goons can do this disgraceful gesture to show their anger, so his party is also narrow-minded and not a substance to vote for. Isn't it? Did Tharoor try to object such bans then? When he was a minister? Why did not such broad-minded people stop banning books as told above? To appease Hindus? Were there any elections nearby?
Shashi Tharoor should note that after 12 months Wendy Doniger's book reentered the market and the ban on the book of Shivaji Maharaj ji has been lifted by the Sc.
5. Pg no: 230: There was the Shiv Sena MP, a member of the ruling coalition shoving food down the throat of a fasting Muslim during Ramzan and getting away without the slightest censure from the ruling party. On this matter, according to Tharoor the Bjp has not applied any disciplinary action on the MP. That's wrong. Now, humanity professor Tharoor can explain why Congress wants to form a Government with such people who can't respect others' beliefs? Only opportunism?
6. Pg no: 231: '' Hindutva credentials reportedly outshine his historical ones, textbooks in Bjp-ruled states like Maharastra and Rajasthan are being rewritten to privilege ancient Hindu glories and Sanskrit is being promoted. Pg no 241: ''In a country whose toxic politics has led to everything - from festival crackers to animal husbandry''.
Let me share a few things here.
https://thewire.in/politics/rajasthan....
https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/m...
https://thewire.in/politics/congress-...
Let me take on the Sankrit- Not only the Bjp but also Congress has been vocal on promoting Sanskrit by installing institutions.
Animal Husbandry- Rajasthan election manifesto of both parties has this. It is interesting to note Madhya Pradesh only Congress promised for Goshalas in every district, not at all promised by the Bjp.
Textbook rewriting- it is true that the Bjp has introduced the Hindu version of things, but then congress is not at all innocent since it derives its resources from left tilted historians.
https://indianexpress.com/article/edu...
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-spea...
6
7. On M.F Husain, under the heading ''Narrow Minded Bigotry''. He told that the Hindutvavadis filed many cases against him, by getting scared of legal implication on dragging to a court while he stays in India, he fled. We can find Congress' attitude on M.F Husain by this tweet:https://twitter.com/incindia/status/1....
According to Tharoor, art should be seen as an art there is nothing to get offended. Agreed. Then, why they have to bar Salman Rushdie from entering India? https://m.economictimes.com/news/poli...
8. On Alcohol ban in Gujrat, pg 239, '' Hindutva hypocrisy is also much in evidence on the subject of alcohol, deemed to be un-Indian and officially banned in the P.M's own state of Gujrat''.
Painting it saffron by Sashi Tharoor, ''The Bombay Prohibition Act was the law that enforced this ban in the year 1949, shortly after the demise of the “Father of the Nation”, Mahatma Gandhi. The fact that it came into force during this period of national sorrow, and is so intricately associated with the Mahatma is the reason why it continues to be such a sensitive issue. The legislation has been in force since 1 May 1960 when Bombay State dissolved into Maharashtra and Gujarat''. Gujrat alcohol poisoning leaving 136 dead is one of the contributors for the complete ban in 2010, then if it was HINDU concern why couldn't he had done it before I mean Modi was already Cm for 5 or more years. And other states ruled by the Bjp did not ban alcohol. Indian National Congress was in rule- The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995 banned sale and consumption of alcohol effective from 20 February 1997. On 24 August 2014, the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced, after a long persuasion from KPCC President V M Sudheeran, that state will implement prohibition in a phased manner.[46] The decision was supported by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Kerala Congress.[47] Liquor bars in Kerala had to renew licenses every year; the state government did not license any bar on 31 March 2014, resulting in the closure of 418 bars.
8. The Bjp banned the movie Paadmavat even when the story has been fictional. Pg no: 247, '' Taking offense is the name of the game these days; hurting the sentiments of a community is the name of the crime. Please do read what Congress leaders on this matter. https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/boll...
https://m.economictimes.com/news/poli...
9.The Cow belt and Beef Politics, Pg No: 249, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story...
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/...
https://www.dailyo.in/politics/meat-b...
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...
Finally, Pgno: 247. '' Pluralist and democratic India must, by definition, tolerate the plural expression of its many identities. To allow the self- appointed arbiters of Bharatiya Sanskriti to impose their hypocrisy and double standards on the rest of us is to permit them to define Indianness down until it ceases to be India''.
We can all talk and there is freedom of expression in our country. There are few people to exercise this privilege to fit their own agendas; we can see from this book. Such gross one-sided argument producing and attributing everything to Hindusim and the Bjp. This can be never justified. I am not telling the Bjp is correct in doing so, but Congress also has done such acts as what Tharoor calls Hindutva appeasement. The difference is the Bjp was Hindu tilted since the beginning but Congress can change according to the tide. It definitely cannot provide the utopia that Tharoor is looking for.
The Second Part of the novel under Political Hinduism has a three-point approach- 1. Hinduism is great plural and enigmatic, not puritanical. 2. What Hindutva people do wrong. 3. The Bjp is responsible or gives some examples of what the Bjp had done. It is nothing but a political rant using Hinduism as a shield to conquer the masses of readers.
Let me be precise:
1. We cannot call terrorists -Islamic Terrorists since they literally betray and go against their principles. Accepted. Then why Goons are called Hindutva Goons. Is that what Hinduism professed?
2. pg: 212, Tharoor has refrained using Aryan Invasion ''THEORY''. ''in theory — used in describing what is supposed to happen or be possible, usually with the implication that it does not in fact happen''. He doesn't seem to have understood the implication of theory. Using flowery words is welcome but ignoring smaller words is not correct. Until it is a fact we can challenge the other side of arguments. Tharoor emphasizes we need to listen and develop a way to listen to others ' opinions; he has proved his hypocrisy in this matter by stating the arguments made by others as HINDUTVA THEORY and RSS- INCLINED HISTORIANS. When every evidence presented by someone is in par with his conscience he uses the word HISTORIAN, something opposite he does use this Hindu chauvinist, Right inclined historians.
https://m.economictimes.com/news/poli...- nation/rakhigarhi-dna-study-questions-aryan-invasion-theory-claims- author/articleshow/71001985.cms
3. Let me tell you how he picks on favourable sources to spin his own story. I remember Aurangzeb as the cruellest emperor of Mughals and he worked for hand in gloves with British. This was in my childhood when the Bjp was not a major party and my state never had Bjp ruling. Sashi Tharoor as I told above used a historian's work( which he never told LEFT inclined) Audrey Truschke vindicate Aurangzeb and told he was a cool person except for some tyrannical behaviour. Tharoor points some Hindus who talk Aurangzeb as a tyrant and they want to change the name of the street or place on his name. Apart from a few historians, many in the rein of Congress had supplied in the schools and other places Aurangzeb was a tyrant. Do read about him in Britannica, it portrayed him as bad as what I read.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/...
Let's take Tharoor as some person who supports the work of a historian who gathered information which was not available in the past and came to a conclusion. Then why not he against Tippu Jayanthi who massacred many Hindus and these were not mere speculations but the letters written by Tippu himself to his commander asking how many were converted and killed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dn5v...
4. The argument now proceeds on Books. pg no: 228, he told, '' One of the Doniger's books on Hinduism was not only withdrawn but also pulped in order not to give offence to the Hindutavavadis''. 227, '' The Hindutva mobs attacked and vandalized the invaluable Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Library in Pune to protest its co-operation with the research work of the historian James Laine''. Here I reckon Congress government banned many books including Red Sari, Reminiscences of the Nehru Age. Do read the short paragraph from https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/...
When the book’s Indian publication was first planned in 2010, officials from Gandhi’s party, the Indian National Congress (popularly known simply as Congress), described it as “defamatory, inaccurate and unsubstantiated” and threatened legal action, while her supporters burned effigies of Moro in Delhi. Gandhi herself was said by aides to have seen a copy of the work and to have been “saddened”.
So, Congress Goons can do this disgraceful gesture to show their anger, so his party is also narrow-minded and not a substance to vote for. Isn't it? Did Tharoor try to object such bans then? When he was a minister? Why did not such broad-minded people stop banning books as told above? To appease Hindus? Were there any elections nearby?
Shashi Tharoor should note that after 12 months Wendy Doniger's book reentered the market and the ban on the book of Shivaji Maharaj ji has been lifted by the Sc.
5. Pg no: 230: There was the Shiv Sena MP, a member of the ruling coalition shoving food down the throat of a fasting Muslim during Ramzan and getting away without the slightest censure from the ruling party. On this matter, according to Tharoor the Bjp has not applied any disciplinary action on the MP. That's wrong. Now, humanity professor Tharoor can explain why Congress wants to form a Government with such people who can't respect others' beliefs? Only opportunism?
6. Pg no: 231: '' Hindutva credentials reportedly outshine his historical ones, textbooks in Bjp-ruled states like Maharastra and Rajasthan are being rewritten to privilege ancient Hindu glories and Sanskrit is being promoted. Pg no 241: ''In a country whose toxic politics has led to everything - from festival crackers to animal husbandry''.
Let me share a few things here.
https://thewire.in/politics/rajasthan....
https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/m...
https://thewire.in/politics/congress-...
Let me take on the Sankrit- Not only the Bjp but also Congress has been vocal on promoting Sanskrit by installing institutions.
Animal Husbandry- Rajasthan election manifesto of both parties has this. It is interesting to note Madhya Pradesh only Congress promised for Goshalas in every district, not at all promised by the Bjp.
Textbook rewriting- it is true that the Bjp has introduced the Hindu version of things, but then congress is not at all innocent since it derives its resources from left tilted historians.
https://indianexpress.com/article/edu...
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-spea...
6
7. On M.F Husain, under the heading ''Narrow Minded Bigotry''. He told that the Hindutvavadis filed many cases against him, by getting scared of legal implication on dragging to a court while he stays in India, he fled. We can find Congress' attitude on M.F Husain by this tweet:https://twitter.com/incindia/status/1....
According to Tharoor, art should be seen as an art there is nothing to get offended. Agreed. Then, why they have to bar Salman Rushdie from entering India? https://m.economictimes.com/news/poli...
8. On Alcohol ban in Gujrat, pg 239, '' Hindutva hypocrisy is also much in evidence on the subject of alcohol, deemed to be un-Indian and officially banned in the P.M's own state of Gujrat''.
Painting it saffron by Sashi Tharoor, ''The Bombay Prohibition Act was the law that enforced this ban in the year 1949, shortly after the demise of the “Father of the Nation”, Mahatma Gandhi. The fact that it came into force during this period of national sorrow, and is so intricately associated with the Mahatma is the reason why it continues to be such a sensitive issue. The legislation has been in force since 1 May 1960 when Bombay State dissolved into Maharashtra and Gujarat''. Gujrat alcohol poisoning leaving 136 dead is one of the contributors for the complete ban in 2010, then if it was HINDU concern why couldn't he had done it before I mean Modi was already Cm for 5 or more years. And other states ruled by the Bjp did not ban alcohol. Indian National Congress was in rule- The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995 banned sale and consumption of alcohol effective from 20 February 1997. On 24 August 2014, the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced, after a long persuasion from KPCC President V M Sudheeran, that state will implement prohibition in a phased manner.[46] The decision was supported by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Kerala Congress.[47] Liquor bars in Kerala had to renew licenses every year; the state government did not license any bar on 31 March 2014, resulting in the closure of 418 bars.
8. The Bjp banned the movie Paadmavat even when the story has been fictional. Pg no: 247, '' Taking offense is the name of the game these days; hurting the sentiments of a community is the name of the crime. Please do read what Congress leaders on this matter. https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/boll...
https://m.economictimes.com/news/poli...
9.The Cow belt and Beef Politics, Pg No: 249, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story...
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...
https://www.outlookindia.com/website/...
https://www.dailyo.in/politics/meat-b...
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...
Finally, Pgno: 247. '' Pluralist and democratic India must, by definition, tolerate the plural expression of its many identities. To allow the self- appointed arbiters of Bharatiya Sanskriti to impose their hypocrisy and double standards on the rest of us is to permit them to define Indianness down until it ceases to be India''.
We can all talk and there is freedom of expression in our country. There are few people to exercise this privilege to fit their own agendas; we can see from this book. Such gross one-sided argument producing and attributing everything to Hindusim and the Bjp. This can be never justified. I am not telling the Bjp is correct in doing so, but Congress also has done such acts as what Tharoor calls Hindutva appeasement. The difference is the Bjp was Hindu tilted since the beginning but Congress can change according to the tide. It definitely cannot provide the utopia that Tharoor is looking for.
July 29, 2018
Why I am a Hindu, is a reflection on how Shashi Tharoor (author of the book) has changed from a well-read person, who made the people of India proud by rising to the position of Under Secretary General of United Nations and giving up the position when the USA voted against him in favor of a rubber stamp UN secretary general, to a politician who is turning into a puppet dancing on the tunes of Gandhi dynasty.
While politically this change for Mr. Tharoor might be rewarding, but the question is – If putting his reputation at stake worth the reward?
The book ‘Why I am Hindu’ mirrors this change in Mr. Tharoor’s psychology, where he drifts from being a proud Indian from the ‘Era of Darkness’ to a minority appeasing Congress politician by subtly berating the Hindus, by crafting his words tactfully enough to not cross the line of offending the voters, while reiterating his parties agenda.
In the first half of the book, he quotes and rephrases the words of Swami Vivekanand and Adi Shankaracharya to present to the audience the true Hinduism, which most of the Hindus believe and live by. This spirit of Hinduism which Mr. Tharoor presents as his own and has been using in many interviews to attract audience towards his book and party and these views are as powerful as the belief in Hinduism of the original writers of these words.
Without a hint of doubt, these words which moved the world when were recited by Swami Vivekanand in United Nations will move any reader and make them proud of Hinduism!
But, this is when Mr. Tharoor the politician takes over and starts to manipulate the readers.
Though a lot in the first part of the book also showcases the false fear Congress party is trying to still in India as a part of its larger propaganda for 2019 elections, in the second part Mr. Tharoor launches an all-out attack on the lines of his parties ideologies.
But, unfortunately, unlike his other books, Mr. Tharoor finds himself wanting of logical and powerful arguments to persuade the reader, and at times himself appears to be admiring the right-wing philosophy, before jolting himself up to remind that he is associated with the left-wing.
In one of the chapter, Mr. Tharoor mentions the criminal Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan of Dera Sacha Sauda, in the same flow as the spiritual gurus like Sai Baba, which is as preposterous as taking the names of national leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad with the likes of Lalu Prasad Yadav and A. Raja.
Moreover, Mr. Tharoor further tries to manipulate the readers by first quoting these names together as Hindu spiritual leaders and then elaborating the misdoings of ONLY the criminal Baba Ram Rahim for 3 pages, painting a picture that all Hindu spiritual leaders are the same as this one criminal.
Did Mr. Tharoor not think here the kind of impression of Hinduism, will the mind of a reader form when he quotes all spiritual leaders in the same breath and elaborated on the misdoings of one? Would he do the same when he talks about Indian politicians as a whole and then elaborate only on a few scamsters, which his current party is replete with?
Another outrageous remark by Mr. Tharoor in this book is when he praises the caste-based reservation in India, just because it has been a part of ‘divide-Hindus-and-rule’ policy of Congress for decades.
Mr. Tharoor, when you categorize casteism under the chapter of ‘Questioning Hindu Customs’ of your book, then why are you all for caste-based reservations, and not for financial need-based reservation? Or are you just trying to defend how for votes your party has repeatedly shattered the fabric of Hindu society for decades?
In another chapter, Mr. Tharoor, tries to mock the works of Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and the fact that the current BJP government has named a few projects after him. In his blind rage, Mr. Tharoor even wrote that Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University (PDPU) which was established back in 2007, is also named by the current BJP government, which by the way came in power in 2014!
More so, I would like to ask Mr. Tharoor, if he feels Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya or Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was not great enough that any institution or project could be named after them then what about the 500+ project named after the Gandhi dynasty which runs your party? Did Rajeev Gandhi and Indira Gandhi not give India the gifts of emergency, the lynching of Sikhs, caste-based reservation for votes and Bofors Scam? Does that make them great enough?
Though later in the book he goes on to praise the work of Pt. Deen Dayal and quotes that his Hindutva was a Hindutva of inclusion and of respect for all religions. It seemed to me that Mr. Tharoor’s mind was divided when he tried to write this book and he couldn’t decide which side he is batting for, which is so unlike him.
Though what I like about this book is that it brings back the idea of Hinduism as envisioned by Swami Vivekananda and Adi Shankaracharya, which every Hindu should be aware of because it is the Hinduism which defines us (a separate post to follow on this), but I would have loved this book had Mr. Tharoor not politicized it.
In all, this book is a carefully crafted effort ahead of the 2019 general elections to break the Hindus away from the BJP, towards a party which has been a minority appeaser only, for 70+ years and subjugated the religion which wasn’t really a vote bank for them, for they were divided into castes and sub-castes by Congress and is not being united under the banner of development.
PS: While I am a great admirer of Shashi Tharoor’s knowledge and work, his constant deterioration to server his unfit boss in the Congress party worries me. Over the decades, Congress has prevented many great leaders from contributing towards the growth of the country because it believes that only the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty has the right to lead India, and I fear that Shashi Tharoor might end up as another casualty of this Congress philosophy. And that would not only be a loss for Mr. Tharoor but also for India, as we would have lost another great leader to Congress.
Original Post - https://apoorvpurwar.wordpress.com/20...
While politically this change for Mr. Tharoor might be rewarding, but the question is – If putting his reputation at stake worth the reward?
The book ‘Why I am Hindu’ mirrors this change in Mr. Tharoor’s psychology, where he drifts from being a proud Indian from the ‘Era of Darkness’ to a minority appeasing Congress politician by subtly berating the Hindus, by crafting his words tactfully enough to not cross the line of offending the voters, while reiterating his parties agenda.
In the first half of the book, he quotes and rephrases the words of Swami Vivekanand and Adi Shankaracharya to present to the audience the true Hinduism, which most of the Hindus believe and live by. This spirit of Hinduism which Mr. Tharoor presents as his own and has been using in many interviews to attract audience towards his book and party and these views are as powerful as the belief in Hinduism of the original writers of these words.
Without a hint of doubt, these words which moved the world when were recited by Swami Vivekanand in United Nations will move any reader and make them proud of Hinduism!
But, this is when Mr. Tharoor the politician takes over and starts to manipulate the readers.
Though a lot in the first part of the book also showcases the false fear Congress party is trying to still in India as a part of its larger propaganda for 2019 elections, in the second part Mr. Tharoor launches an all-out attack on the lines of his parties ideologies.
But, unfortunately, unlike his other books, Mr. Tharoor finds himself wanting of logical and powerful arguments to persuade the reader, and at times himself appears to be admiring the right-wing philosophy, before jolting himself up to remind that he is associated with the left-wing.
In one of the chapter, Mr. Tharoor mentions the criminal Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan of Dera Sacha Sauda, in the same flow as the spiritual gurus like Sai Baba, which is as preposterous as taking the names of national leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad with the likes of Lalu Prasad Yadav and A. Raja.
Moreover, Mr. Tharoor further tries to manipulate the readers by first quoting these names together as Hindu spiritual leaders and then elaborating the misdoings of ONLY the criminal Baba Ram Rahim for 3 pages, painting a picture that all Hindu spiritual leaders are the same as this one criminal.
Did Mr. Tharoor not think here the kind of impression of Hinduism, will the mind of a reader form when he quotes all spiritual leaders in the same breath and elaborated on the misdoings of one? Would he do the same when he talks about Indian politicians as a whole and then elaborate only on a few scamsters, which his current party is replete with?
Another outrageous remark by Mr. Tharoor in this book is when he praises the caste-based reservation in India, just because it has been a part of ‘divide-Hindus-and-rule’ policy of Congress for decades.
Mr. Tharoor, when you categorize casteism under the chapter of ‘Questioning Hindu Customs’ of your book, then why are you all for caste-based reservations, and not for financial need-based reservation? Or are you just trying to defend how for votes your party has repeatedly shattered the fabric of Hindu society for decades?
In another chapter, Mr. Tharoor, tries to mock the works of Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and the fact that the current BJP government has named a few projects after him. In his blind rage, Mr. Tharoor even wrote that Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University (PDPU) which was established back in 2007, is also named by the current BJP government, which by the way came in power in 2014!
More so, I would like to ask Mr. Tharoor, if he feels Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya or Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was not great enough that any institution or project could be named after them then what about the 500+ project named after the Gandhi dynasty which runs your party? Did Rajeev Gandhi and Indira Gandhi not give India the gifts of emergency, the lynching of Sikhs, caste-based reservation for votes and Bofors Scam? Does that make them great enough?
Though later in the book he goes on to praise the work of Pt. Deen Dayal and quotes that his Hindutva was a Hindutva of inclusion and of respect for all religions. It seemed to me that Mr. Tharoor’s mind was divided when he tried to write this book and he couldn’t decide which side he is batting for, which is so unlike him.
Though what I like about this book is that it brings back the idea of Hinduism as envisioned by Swami Vivekananda and Adi Shankaracharya, which every Hindu should be aware of because it is the Hinduism which defines us (a separate post to follow on this), but I would have loved this book had Mr. Tharoor not politicized it.
In all, this book is a carefully crafted effort ahead of the 2019 general elections to break the Hindus away from the BJP, towards a party which has been a minority appeaser only, for 70+ years and subjugated the religion which wasn’t really a vote bank for them, for they were divided into castes and sub-castes by Congress and is not being united under the banner of development.
PS: While I am a great admirer of Shashi Tharoor’s knowledge and work, his constant deterioration to server his unfit boss in the Congress party worries me. Over the decades, Congress has prevented many great leaders from contributing towards the growth of the country because it believes that only the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty has the right to lead India, and I fear that Shashi Tharoor might end up as another casualty of this Congress philosophy. And that would not only be a loss for Mr. Tharoor but also for India, as we would have lost another great leader to Congress.
Original Post - https://apoorvpurwar.wordpress.com/20...
February 18, 2019
I remember a line from the early days of my reading and it goes like this – ‘If a poet falls in love with you, you will forever be immortalised’. That was the feeling I had when I finished reading this book. On one side are trolls of social media, simply bashing you for any and every point that you express. The validity or otherwise of the point matters the least to them. All that they want is to put you down and insult you. They turn every debate into a bitter argument and leave a bad taste in the mouth. At the other end of the intellectual spectrum are people like Shashi Tharoor. These are the kind of people that you don’t normally mess with, or else they ‘immortalise’ you by writing in reams to prove how dumb you and your opinions are.
This book is co-authored by Shashi Tharoor, the intellect, and Shashi Tharoor, the politician. The intellect Shashi Tharoor begins the book beautifully, elaborating on the core tenets of Hinduism and all things that makes Hinduism not just a religion, but the very way of life worth emulating. Briefly delving on the probable origins of Hinduism, the challenges it faced all along its many millennia-old existence, the ways in which it overcame those challenges and the innumerable saints and holy personae that stand as shining beacons for all the virtues that Hinduism is all about. Ironically, Mr. Tharoor makes you feel proud about being Hindu, more than all the antics and assertions of the so-called saviours of the ‘Hindutva’ brigade.
The second and final part of the book are used by politician Shashi Tharoor, who uses it as a canvas to paint a poor – many times, correctly so – picture about his political opponents, especially those belonging to the Hindutva brigade. Starting from the patriarchs of RSS, Golwalkar and Savarkar, who used hatred for another religion to fuel the passion for their own, touching upon the somewhat sensible life of Deen Dayal Upadhyay, to the present day leaders of BJP, who rode upon paranoia and hatred of a huge scale to attain their political gains, Shashi Tharoor has ‘immortalised’ everyone with his systematic arguments against their narrow ideologies, setting them against the all-encompassing backdrop of Hinduism.
In an age of manipulation through fake-images and messages spread through social media, people have been taught to hate the real soldiers of India’s freedom struggle, forgetting that these ‘Hindutva’ proponents made little or no contribution during the struggle for India’s independence. But Shashi Tharoor is no pushover to let them go easily. His book is a timely and sensible argument against the malady that is ‘Hindutva’, a product of fear and paranoia.
Those belonging to Congress will be all praise for this book. Those supporting the BJP will call this book as biased. But any unbiased reader, especially a Hindu who loves his religion, but doesn’t allow that love to become a license to spew paranoia and hatred against practitioners of other religions, will find this book to be a worthy argument. A sensible read!
This book is co-authored by Shashi Tharoor, the intellect, and Shashi Tharoor, the politician. The intellect Shashi Tharoor begins the book beautifully, elaborating on the core tenets of Hinduism and all things that makes Hinduism not just a religion, but the very way of life worth emulating. Briefly delving on the probable origins of Hinduism, the challenges it faced all along its many millennia-old existence, the ways in which it overcame those challenges and the innumerable saints and holy personae that stand as shining beacons for all the virtues that Hinduism is all about. Ironically, Mr. Tharoor makes you feel proud about being Hindu, more than all the antics and assertions of the so-called saviours of the ‘Hindutva’ brigade.
The second and final part of the book are used by politician Shashi Tharoor, who uses it as a canvas to paint a poor – many times, correctly so – picture about his political opponents, especially those belonging to the Hindutva brigade. Starting from the patriarchs of RSS, Golwalkar and Savarkar, who used hatred for another religion to fuel the passion for their own, touching upon the somewhat sensible life of Deen Dayal Upadhyay, to the present day leaders of BJP, who rode upon paranoia and hatred of a huge scale to attain their political gains, Shashi Tharoor has ‘immortalised’ everyone with his systematic arguments against their narrow ideologies, setting them against the all-encompassing backdrop of Hinduism.
In an age of manipulation through fake-images and messages spread through social media, people have been taught to hate the real soldiers of India’s freedom struggle, forgetting that these ‘Hindutva’ proponents made little or no contribution during the struggle for India’s independence. But Shashi Tharoor is no pushover to let them go easily. His book is a timely and sensible argument against the malady that is ‘Hindutva’, a product of fear and paranoia.
Those belonging to Congress will be all praise for this book. Those supporting the BJP will call this book as biased. But any unbiased reader, especially a Hindu who loves his religion, but doesn’t allow that love to become a license to spew paranoia and hatred against practitioners of other religions, will find this book to be a worthy argument. A sensible read!
April 22, 2019
Shashi Tharoor‘ s Why I am a Hindu? makes for an interesting title which got me curious in the first place. Other than that I have enjoyed his Bookless in Baghdad which is a collection of essays spanning decades. Coming back to the present book, it is divided into three parts: My (Tharoor’s Hinduism) Political Hinduism and the third being Taking Back Hinduism.
The first part as the author asserts are his personal opinions and how he has understood Hinduism and his understanding of the religion. I agree with some aspects as I too had a similar trajectory of conforming as a child followed by rebellion during my high school and college days. And, now I believe in my own terms and pace. Like the author says the book is too small to cover the span and beliefs of Hinduism and how it has evolved. While reading I had to constantly remind myself that it’s the author’s individual opinion rather than an objective approach.
The Second part, I found quite fascinating as I was mostly aware of the ideologies of Golwalkar and Hedgewar but not so much of Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s which the BJP swears by especially in small towns.
The remainder of the section mostly corresponds to what has been going on in Indian communal politics and if you have been following the news ardently you already know pretty much.
The last section talks about tolerance, Hinduism without fundamentals and how we should embrace the faith for what it is rather what a handful of people would like us to believe.
I commend the intentions of the book but I did not enjoy the narrative as much. It was scattered with Hindu hymns, shlokas words of wisdom from great Hindu souls and a very personal approach by the author. ( Again, I remember it’s his version and not an objective take).
The thing that I did find problematic were his take on Mughals and temple desecration. He very casually slips into Islamic conquest and Islamic state therefore reiterating the hindutva myth that they were conquerors and aliens. (Richard Eaton’s paper on Temple desecration(2000) should be read by those interested.) Along with a little more grounded research between myth and fact as is with the personal life of Mira Bai.
The first part as the author asserts are his personal opinions and how he has understood Hinduism and his understanding of the religion. I agree with some aspects as I too had a similar trajectory of conforming as a child followed by rebellion during my high school and college days. And, now I believe in my own terms and pace. Like the author says the book is too small to cover the span and beliefs of Hinduism and how it has evolved. While reading I had to constantly remind myself that it’s the author’s individual opinion rather than an objective approach.
The Second part, I found quite fascinating as I was mostly aware of the ideologies of Golwalkar and Hedgewar but not so much of Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s which the BJP swears by especially in small towns.
The remainder of the section mostly corresponds to what has been going on in Indian communal politics and if you have been following the news ardently you already know pretty much.
The last section talks about tolerance, Hinduism without fundamentals and how we should embrace the faith for what it is rather what a handful of people would like us to believe.
I commend the intentions of the book but I did not enjoy the narrative as much. It was scattered with Hindu hymns, shlokas words of wisdom from great Hindu souls and a very personal approach by the author. ( Again, I remember it’s his version and not an objective take).
The thing that I did find problematic were his take on Mughals and temple desecration. He very casually slips into Islamic conquest and Islamic state therefore reiterating the hindutva myth that they were conquerors and aliens. (Richard Eaton’s paper on Temple desecration(2000) should be read by those interested.) Along with a little more grounded research between myth and fact as is with the personal life of Mira Bai.
October 17, 2019
Cherry picked quotes and propaganda oriented book to appeased congress and its supporter. This is the problem with every political party leaders, they cant write genuine book without any biased. This is why i always try to avoid books written by any politicians. This guy doesn't even know what exactly is BJP and Hindutva(for hindutva read authentic Savarkar biography, don't directly jump to hindutva book) and he wrote half book dedicated to them. This book is just anti BJP book in the garb of why i am a Hindu book. This is exactly the problem with Shashi Tharoor and congress, they are not reading the feeling of common man. Even muslims have started voting for BJP because they know BJP is not exactly what congress have always portrayed.
This guy is so shameless that he wrote 'The Paradoxical Prime Minister' just before 2019 central government election to divert some votes but he failed to do so. Voters have seen the ground reality that BJP government is indeed working for development of India. And i so wished congress stopped doing dynasty politics, they cant even choose congress presidentship outside the family. And as for Shashi Tharoor, why don't you write book on what you did to your wife and what kind of scams your congress party did.
This is maybe my most political oriented review and i hope it to be my last political review as well. I always believe goodreads platform is a place for books lover not politics lover.
This guy is so shameless that he wrote 'The Paradoxical Prime Minister' just before 2019 central government election to divert some votes but he failed to do so. Voters have seen the ground reality that BJP government is indeed working for development of India. And i so wished congress stopped doing dynasty politics, they cant even choose congress presidentship outside the family. And as for Shashi Tharoor, why don't you write book on what you did to your wife and what kind of scams your congress party did.
This is maybe my most political oriented review and i hope it to be my last political review as well. I always believe goodreads platform is a place for books lover not politics lover.
February 23, 2018
This book is all you need if you want to know more about Hinduism. It is full of knowledge, politics, and about ideologies of Hinduism. The book is divided into three parts. Each part has it’s own importance, explaining different aspects. The book begins with the author’s belief in Hinduism, one can reflect so much of their childhood in that part. He delves deep into Hinduism’s most important schools of thought (such as the Advaita Vedanta).
He exemplified the Hindu idea that religion is an intensely personal matter, that prayer is between you and whatever image of your maker that you choose to worship.
The author tells about Shankara, Ramanuja, and Vivekananda. He also talks about the ideologies, stories of various gods. Ganesha story, Maa Durga, Shiva, and various other stories. He explained some verses of Gita, Veda, and shlokas. He masterfully takes the reader through the various aspects of Hinduism ranging from his own beliefs to scholarly references.
See full review at http://www.vidhyathakkar.com/bookrevi...
He exemplified the Hindu idea that religion is an intensely personal matter, that prayer is between you and whatever image of your maker that you choose to worship.
The author tells about Shankara, Ramanuja, and Vivekananda. He also talks about the ideologies, stories of various gods. Ganesha story, Maa Durga, Shiva, and various other stories. He explained some verses of Gita, Veda, and shlokas. He masterfully takes the reader through the various aspects of Hinduism ranging from his own beliefs to scholarly references.
See full review at http://www.vidhyathakkar.com/bookrevi...
January 28, 2018
This Book can be seen as testimony to the soft Hindutva turn that Indian politics is taking. But nevertheless, the ideology propagated here is not venomous but rather is liberal , tolerant and pluralistic. A must read book for all the people who grew disillusioned and started questioning what Hinduism stood for. Surprisingly, the book won't answer that but instead would make you accept that it's fine if you can't define it. And that's what makes it different from any other faith.
June 26, 2018
I am always impressed by Mr. Tharoor's profound intellect, that he pens down to elaborate his rhetoric. This book had me enraptured and awe struck for almost two-third of it's length due to awe inspiring facts about Hinduism, I impetuously ordered his previous works. The last section though turned out to be a beguile, pedantic political rant aimed to berate the ruling government which I believe somewhat aberrated from the title itself, no matter how stark his concern actually is.
December 19, 2020
Expected a lot from this book, but it's just politics.
January 15, 2023
What started out as a wait in local library to meet a friend ( we were to meet for coffee but instead of loading on snacks unnecessarily while waiting I wandered to the library to browse the business newspapers ) turned my attention to this book on the shelves. I am not a fan of books with any religious content/context … but in this case the title and the author made me read the first few pages.
The reasons to read were primarily Dr Tharoor. In my mind I had slotted him as an elitist politician very well known for his usage of eloquent words ( many of them requiring a dictionary - and very often heard for the first time by the audience ). He is a media favorite for this reason apart from his background and upbringing. He was educated in premium institutions in India and abroad and has held positions in the UN. But for me this was the first time I heard about his writing and the fact he has written so many books.
In this book Dr Tharoor does not sell Hinduism but calls attention to its egalitarian nature and history. God is in the hearts of the believer ( in Hinduism there are a number of gods - the count varies depending on who you speak to - all the way from 330,000 or 330 million gods …. You choose ). Dr Tharoor opines that Hinduism says “The names do not matter - Krishna/Allah/Jesus - Hinduism allows its believers to choose any mix from this and more but welcomes them all”. This is not a book that speaks about how for political reasons various forces have interpreted the faith to their own advantage. But it is not without its faults. As Dr Tharoor points not only is India the largest democracy but also the greatest hypocrisy.
The same folks who say India is only for Hindus and all others should exit or convert or be killed also appreciate so many folks from so many other faiths. In the India Pakistan war the leaders were SHFJ Maneckshaw ; J S Aurora - who were from different faiths but did their bit. KJ Yesudas - a very well respected Carnatic music singer from the South is a Christian by birth and was not permitted to enter a Hindu temple. Such complications co exist and will continue to be so. That is indeed the magic of India and Hinduism. Dr Tharoor says this is the reason he is a Hindu.
There have been so many other references from the West that draw attention to how Hinduism shaped Western thought. Maximiliani Portas ( née Savitri Devi ) from Germany who was s firebrand social researcher and writer opined that Hitler was Lord Vishnu reborn. Dr Tharoor says the Western world with all its rules and regulations on religion had its insights from Hindu scholars many many centuries before the West discovered them. The faith has resulted in so much more to the world we live in - than just the pursuit of spirituality. This is why Dr Tharoor says he is a Hindu.
He quotes his friend from the tech industry “Hinduism is an open source technology on which any religion structure can be built keeping in mind target human hearts”.
Dr Tharoor has risen in my respect significantly and opened my eyes to many things in this book - which I think is more the point. From the Indian Puranas he quotes a small tale which says “The truth exists but it is not always true …”.
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
The reasons to read were primarily Dr Tharoor. In my mind I had slotted him as an elitist politician very well known for his usage of eloquent words ( many of them requiring a dictionary - and very often heard for the first time by the audience ). He is a media favorite for this reason apart from his background and upbringing. He was educated in premium institutions in India and abroad and has held positions in the UN. But for me this was the first time I heard about his writing and the fact he has written so many books.
In this book Dr Tharoor does not sell Hinduism but calls attention to its egalitarian nature and history. God is in the hearts of the believer ( in Hinduism there are a number of gods - the count varies depending on who you speak to - all the way from 330,000 or 330 million gods …. You choose ). Dr Tharoor opines that Hinduism says “The names do not matter - Krishna/Allah/Jesus - Hinduism allows its believers to choose any mix from this and more but welcomes them all”. This is not a book that speaks about how for political reasons various forces have interpreted the faith to their own advantage. But it is not without its faults. As Dr Tharoor points not only is India the largest democracy but also the greatest hypocrisy.
The same folks who say India is only for Hindus and all others should exit or convert or be killed also appreciate so many folks from so many other faiths. In the India Pakistan war the leaders were SHFJ Maneckshaw ; J S Aurora - who were from different faiths but did their bit. KJ Yesudas - a very well respected Carnatic music singer from the South is a Christian by birth and was not permitted to enter a Hindu temple. Such complications co exist and will continue to be so. That is indeed the magic of India and Hinduism. Dr Tharoor says this is the reason he is a Hindu.
There have been so many other references from the West that draw attention to how Hinduism shaped Western thought. Maximiliani Portas ( née Savitri Devi ) from Germany who was s firebrand social researcher and writer opined that Hitler was Lord Vishnu reborn. Dr Tharoor says the Western world with all its rules and regulations on religion had its insights from Hindu scholars many many centuries before the West discovered them. The faith has resulted in so much more to the world we live in - than just the pursuit of spirituality. This is why Dr Tharoor says he is a Hindu.
He quotes his friend from the tech industry “Hinduism is an open source technology on which any religion structure can be built keeping in mind target human hearts”.
Dr Tharoor has risen in my respect significantly and opened my eyes to many things in this book - which I think is more the point. From the Indian Puranas he quotes a small tale which says “The truth exists but it is not always true …”.
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2018
I am disappointed by this book which seemed exciting and promising. The title says 'Why I am a Hindu', and that is what I was looking forward to - a personalised take on Tharoor's Hinduism. But it did not turn out to be so. Though he cleverly begins with one incident from his childhood, which is also what was published in several promotional material for the book, the glimpse into his personal experience of being a Hindu ends there. There are only a handful of other accounts that are there interspersed in the rest of the book.
The book, is instead a commentary on Hinduism, or rather, appears to be a refresher on it. In fact, it seems to be addressing a non-Indian readership, what with there being a text-book like feel to the narrative style the book is written in.
It is also interesting how the book was written in such quick time, being timed to be brought out just before the 2019 elections. It therefore is a treatise on the BJP rule since its inception till its present deplorable state. Tharoor does, rightly, showcase the atrocities committed by the party, which is a much needed reminder for the public to keep in mind before next year's election.
The book, is instead a commentary on Hinduism, or rather, appears to be a refresher on it. In fact, it seems to be addressing a non-Indian readership, what with there being a text-book like feel to the narrative style the book is written in.
It is also interesting how the book was written in such quick time, being timed to be brought out just before the 2019 elections. It therefore is a treatise on the BJP rule since its inception till its present deplorable state. Tharoor does, rightly, showcase the atrocities committed by the party, which is a much needed reminder for the public to keep in mind before next year's election.
August 27, 2018
Was a subtle attempt to get back at the RSS for invalid reasons. Even though Shashi Tharoors intellect and style of writing make this book look very impressive but it's only a magnification of what tiny bit of intolerance India may have faced recently.
What I believe is that even though the RSS may be a little pro-hindu it is not against the minorities... Shashi Tharoors 'Why I am a Hindu' tries to magnify the problems that aren't even there in the first place. I wouldn't recommend anyone to read this book because it just an attempt to gain Congress some votes and nothing else.
What I believe is that even though the RSS may be a little pro-hindu it is not against the minorities... Shashi Tharoors 'Why I am a Hindu' tries to magnify the problems that aren't even there in the first place. I wouldn't recommend anyone to read this book because it just an attempt to gain Congress some votes and nothing else.
February 17, 2018
For most of my life I have been questioning my religious orientation. Recent events in India have also had me cringing at the word "Hindu." But this book puts paid to all of that and sorts my thoughts and doubts elquently and beautifully. This is the Hinduism of my father, the Hinduism that I am not ashamed of. Maybe I too can now finally reconcile myself with my religion?
April 12, 2018
This book is guilty of despair, and argues against the tenets that it sets out to champion: Hinduism has no one truth, Hinduism is eternal and has survived for 4000 years, then must one raise the sceptres of doom?
I am a fan of Mr Tharoor and every time I pick up his latest book, I search for the brilliance of his early writings. Unfortunately it’s not to be found in this volume. Disappointing.
I am a fan of Mr Tharoor and every time I pick up his latest book, I search for the brilliance of his early writings. Unfortunately it’s not to be found in this volume. Disappointing.
January 3, 2020
This is propaganda against the ruling BJP government and Tharoor has shamelessly twisted events and information to peddle the political position of his own political party. Dishonest writing and agenda-driven representation of Hinduism and Hindutva that paints Muslims as the victims and Hindus as the oppressors under all circumstances.
July 29, 2020
Criticism at the fullest , the first start up pages were good, as you dive through it would become worst. I dully believe the write has a impression of his own .
Bought this book during my transit at Mumbai airport for a change. Thank good wasn’t some content reading I had expected for more.
Bought this book during my transit at Mumbai airport for a change. Thank good wasn’t some content reading I had expected for more.
February 15, 2019
This book is a great example of how easily politicians can brainwash the public. I am never reading a book by Mr. Tharoor again.
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