The Public Intellectual In India by Romila Thapar

 Quote From Book - “The first and foremost thing that must be recognized is that Hindu society is a myth. The name Hindu is itself a foreign name. It was given by the Mahomedans to the natives for the purpose of distinguishing themselves. It does not occur in any Sanskrit work prior to the Mahomedan invasion. They did not feel the necessity of a common name, because they had no conception of their having constituted a community. Hindu society as such does not exist. It is only a collection of castes. Each caste is conscious of its existence. Its survival is the be-all and end-all of its existence."

                                         After being sidelined for obvious reasons left leaning intellectuals worst nightmares are coming true. The triumph of party and government by alleged right wing nationalists is a nightmarish scenario, never occurred to the arm chair intellectuals like Thapar's of the world . This book is an attempt to mock opponents and rue about the shrinking space for leftists ideology which is very cunningly being portrayed as intolerance. The mismanagement of resources, unending poverty, unemployment ,corruption etc and hordes of present day problems are mischievously twisted to blame opponents completely ignoring the past government dispensation.

                                       Romila Thapar and her colleagues in their zeal to belittle opponents mocked Hindu customs and religion, in whole, while squarely blaming every sin on rigid patriarchal society. Meantime, they never shied away from continuously reminding the readers about the lack of prevailing opportunities their ilks getting to spread venomous thoughts that they have perfected in over decades of practice. This book is an attempt to put blame of misgovernance and social problems on doorsteps of incumbent government completely oblivion of their role. Truth is old guard which blossomed under Congress’s left leaning rule of 60-odd years thinks everything is going to the dogs.The book is complete waste of time and energy as nothing substantial or divergent comes out, best is to ignore it .