Hindutva: Revisionist History

In Varanasi, India’s oldest city, a Muslim scholar of Sanskrit is in hiding because right wing groups believe the language of Hinduism’s oldest texts cannot be taught by Muslims. Late last week, protesters gathered outside Banaras University, placards in hand. One read: ‘A Muslim cannot teach us our religion.’

The lines have drawn — India must be understood at the level of Hindus versus Muslims. A land where once a mind-warping array of spiritual traditions conversed will now be shaped by a virulent interpretation of one of the oldest religions in the world. But push against…