Why I Am a Hindu

Shashi Tharoor separates a religious tradition from the politics conducted in its name, and gives each a careful hearing. Why I Am a Hindu sets out the philosophical foundations of Hinduism, its texts, its schools of thought and its long tolerance of internal disagreement, then turns to the ways the tradition has been recast within modern Indian politics. Tharoor writes partly as a believer describing his own practice and partly as a commentator making an argument about pluralism, and the two registers are kept clearly distinct. Two halves of the argument: • An account of Hindu philosophy, texts and devotional variety • Personal reflection on belief and individual practice • Analysis of religious nationalism and how it diverges from the tradition • A case for pluralism drawn from Indian history For readers interested in Indian religion, culture and contemporary politics. Published by Aleph and available at Boipoka.