In response to Tunku Vardarajan’s commentary (‘Oppenheimer,’ the Bhagavad Gita and India’s Outrage,’ July 30, 2023) on Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film Oppenheimer, the author shows his utter lack of understanding of India’s textual and cultural tradition. The Mahabharata is a source of ethics (Dharma) and a guide to action (Karma) for Hindus. The “events of a mighty struggle” and its historicity are not a dominant paradigm within the tradition. Scholars such as Wendy Donigar have no standing within the Hindu tradition, and quoting them does no good to any argument Mr. Vardarajan may want to advance.
Mr. Vardarajan’s “Hindu nationalists,” “Hindu chauvinists,” and “thick-skinned Hindus” monikers are an attempt to demonize a billion Hindus. Despite "outrage," no one is burning down cities. He also seems confused as he refers to Bhagavad Gita as “scripture from the Hindu canon,” but at the same time also claims that “Hinduism doesn’t have a holy book.”
By the way, Tunku's parents named him Patanjali after the great Hindu sage and scholar (2nd C, BCE). His journey from Patanjali to Tunku says a lot.
The problem with colonial hangover is the problem of the reverse sieve. Patanjali goes down the drain and Tunku survives.