I've long since given up trying to understand the incomprehensible drivel published by south asianists. It's far more interesting to try and understand their psychological position, i.e. a implicit desperation to convince themselves that they're not neocolonial stooges 1/n
The desperation of course betrays their own paranoia. There was another way. All they had to do was acknowledge that-- yes-- the academy, media, and activist class in the west have a history of being anti-Hindu that is well documented and it should be addressed. 2/n
They could have easily taken this position while also continuing their self-righteous fight against the savage hindoos back in the old country, but alas, they lacked the fortitude, instead sponsoring conferences that called for the dismantling of hinduism altogether 3/n
and begging for favor from a prof who's a literal missionary and an apologist for one of Indian history's great tyrants. Their work will quickly fade from memory, and will of course have no impact on India's political trajectory whatsoever. Just screams from the sunken place 4/n
In the 19th and early 20th century, American churches would parade "converted Hindoos" from city to city-- dressed in "native costume"-- to tell eager audiences about why they left their heathen religion behind for Christianity. 5/n
I see the modern "south asianist" in the same mold. Their only role is to support a dominant missionary narrative that's been in place for centuries now.There's been no attempt to moderate or push back on the excesses of the academy, just increasingly arcane rationalizations /end
Looks like she went private. Original tweet:
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