Notorious Wendy Doniger hosted by the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Margashirsha Pournima,Kaliyug Varsha 5115

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) prides itself on being  an academy for the study of Hindu cultures, societies, philosophies, religions, and languages, and being dedicated to preserving India’s cultural heritage and promoting a better understanding of it through a comprehensive program of education, publishing, and research.

It claims to have a unique approach to addressing this “on its own terms” and in collaborative research with scholars across the world.

However one does not have to look far to establish exactly what these “terms” are and which ‘scholars’ OCHS is promoting. On 12, 14 and 19 November 2013 this place hosted Wendy Doniger Professor of the History of Religions in the Divinity School, University of Chicago.

Now Doniger is notorious for interpreting Hindu beliefs through her own obsession sexuality. Perusing her works brings us such lurid titles as Siva: The Erotic Ascetic, Women, Androgynes, and Other Mythical Beasts, Tales of Sex and Violence: Folklore, Sacrifice, and The Bedtrick: Tales of Sex and Masquerade.

Sex, Lies and Masking Tape

Now it was just over a decade ago that this same Doniger spoke at University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, sitting on the dais with fellow Hindu-hater William Dalrymple. She tried to amuse her audience with the usual misinterpretation of Hindu texts, notably how Lakshmana and Hanuman had lusted after Sita. Although this elicited sniggers from the audience not all were amused. Indeed an egg was thrown in her direction and landed on the wall behind her, leading Dalrymple to blame the BJP.

Aside from begging the rather inconvenient question as to why the BJP would travel all the way to England in order to throw an egg, it did reveal Doniger for what she was: a rather lamentable and pathetic figure left behind by a British society which has largely moved on from finding it acceptable to make jokes about ethnic minorities and through acts such as the Black and White Minstrel Show.

During the question and answer session Doniger was unrepentant. She brushed off questions about her psychological state. Expounding her ‘expertise’ on the Bhagavad Geeta (which she has called a “violent book”) was quickly followed in high-pitched squeal of “but I’m not a Hindu” as if being a Hindu was something to be ashamed of. Late she was to claim that the “Hindu right” was “prudish” and that it was because of her that many more people have come to know of these sacred texts.     

Source : Hindu Human Right