First published in 2016, Rajiv Malhotra's 'The Battle for Sanskrit' is as relevant today as it was then. In the book, the author challenges dominant Western narratives that seek to desacralize Sanskrit by stripping it of its religious and cultural significance. Written in an easy-to-read style with scholarly insights, the book urges both traditional and modern readers to engage in an honest dialogue. The book is an important one that defends heritage and also seeks to de-westernise Indology.
For centuries, Hindu temples thrived as autonomous centers of faith, culture, and community life. However, today, the secular state treats temples as mere public property and exploits them, subjecting them to to excessive taxation, mismanagement, and neglect. Unlike religious institutions of other faiths, Hindu temples remain uniquely burdened by government interference, highlighting a systemic inequality. In this call to liberate Hindu temples, Raghu Bhaskaran addresses the concerns of corruption and mismanagement if temples are freed and asserts that freeing temples is a key step towards Hindus owning their narrative.