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Negationism in India ; Concealing the Record of Islam
Negationism usually means the denial of the Nazi genocide of the Jews and Gypsies in World War 2. Less well-known is that India has its own brand of negationism. A section of the Indian intelligentsia is still trying to erase from the Hindus' memory the history of their persecution by the swordsmen of Islam. The number of victims of this persecution surpasses that of the Nazi crimes. The Islamic campaign to wipe out Paganism could not be equally thorough, but it has continued for centuries without any moral doubts arising in the minds of the persecutors and their chroniclers. The Islamic reports on the massacres of Hindus, destruction of Hindu temples, the abduction of Hindu women and forced conversions, invariably express great glee and pride. They leave no doubt that the destruction of Paganism by every means, was considered the God-ordained duty of the Moslem community. Yet, today many Indian historians, journalists and politicians, deny that there ever was a Hindu-Moslem conflict. They shamelessly rewrite history and conjure up centuries of Hindu-Moslem amity; now a growing section of the public in India and the West only knows their negationist version of history. It is not a pleasant task to rudely shake people out of their delusions, especially if these have been wilfully created; but this essay does just that.
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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333 people want to read
About the author
Koenraad Elst
41 books158 followersFlemish writer and orientalist (without institutional affiliation).
Koenraad Elst was an editor of the New Right Flemish nationalist journal Tekos 1992 to 1995 and also contributed to other Flemish seperatist publications like Nucleus, 't Pallieterke, Secessie and The Brussels Journal.
Koenraad Elst is one of the most well-known western writers to actively defend the Hindutva movement.
Koenraad Elst was an editor of the New Right Flemish nationalist journal Tekos 1992 to 1995 and also contributed to other Flemish seperatist publications like Nucleus, 't Pallieterke, Secessie and The Brussels Journal.
Koenraad Elst is one of the most well-known western writers to actively defend the Hindutva movement.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 15, 2020
In India history denial exists. It pertains to the mass slaughter and the concomitant cultural destruction by the Religion of Peace during the past 13 centuries. Restating this history is a sober statement of fact, not a call to revenge. Who are the perpetrators ? What are their motives? How to achieve a sane remedy? We need to look for answers. Sadly we are just denying the history. Leftist historians keep on distorting our history is not going to help anyone.
Everyone should read this book. Quite educating and informative.
Everyone should read this book. Quite educating and informative.
July 2, 2022
A history of anti-Hindu violence
First, I give the book 4 stars, because Elst offered some daring, very smart insights and uncovers historical facts previously unknown to me and many others. However, Elst really sold himself short on the spelling and editing, though. I can ignore that, but many readers can’t.
On topic, Koenraad Elst chronicles the historical Hindu-Islam conflict in India and concludes guilt to be unevenly distributed. Heavily uneven. According to Elst, Islam is the source of intolerance towards the “pagans”, not vice versa.
Elst first explains negationism: to marginalize, deny, twist the narrative of crimes against humanity for political purposes. Negationism is not particular to India or Islam, not at all; it happens in all cultures, ranging from Turkey and Rwanda to Germany and thus, also India. However, in most countries negationism is a minority position held by the fringe of society and is actively looked down upon. In India it’s, sadly, the other way around. People who draw attention to crimes committed against Hindus (just for being Hindus and nothing else) are in the minority position and are looked down upon. Quite peculiar! I can only think of the Armenians in Turkey to be in a similar situation, but Armenians are a very small percentage of the population, with weak political organisation and its voice is thus powerless against the proud nationalist Turkish majority. Hindus, on the other hand, are the dominant majority of India. It's a strange situation, to say the least!
Elst then explains why there is a dual cause for this impasse; there is a genuine fear of angering muslim neighbours or resuscitating dormant quarrels and there's the interest of a hostile Marxist Indian elite -- hostile to the Hindu nationalist forces that is. The Marxists do not want to highlight “reactionary” cultural conflict, because it interferes with their own political goals and arguments. For example, Marxists like to highlight how British colonialists divided muslims and Hindus against each other for selfish divide and rule purposes. While that is, in fact, true, of course, this talking point conveniently ignores serious, deep, pre-colonial conflicts. Very insidious and cynical, if you ask me. If negationism leads to dishonoring victims, this would be very dishonest and dishonorable to their plight and remembrance, but consequences for current generations would be overseeable. However, to not learn from history and risk similar atrocities in the future is stupid and dangerous; nothing screams louder than a deadly warning from the past.
The goods news (for Hindus) is that Elst is an optimist on India, Elst believes Islam "will wither away in time"; will become less strong of a force in daily life, now that more people (including muslims) learn to doubt dubious religious claims. This was a bit of a weird take, because Elst himself is a very religious, or at least spiritual, man. Concluding, Elst’s book was written in 1992, over 25 years ago; his optimism has not been validated so far. I suspect ancient cultural and religious conflicts will remain with India for a lot longer -- then again, India is not exactly alone here, all of us suffer that plight.
First, I give the book 4 stars, because Elst offered some daring, very smart insights and uncovers historical facts previously unknown to me and many others. However, Elst really sold himself short on the spelling and editing, though. I can ignore that, but many readers can’t.
On topic, Koenraad Elst chronicles the historical Hindu-Islam conflict in India and concludes guilt to be unevenly distributed. Heavily uneven. According to Elst, Islam is the source of intolerance towards the “pagans”, not vice versa.
Elst first explains negationism: to marginalize, deny, twist the narrative of crimes against humanity for political purposes. Negationism is not particular to India or Islam, not at all; it happens in all cultures, ranging from Turkey and Rwanda to Germany and thus, also India. However, in most countries negationism is a minority position held by the fringe of society and is actively looked down upon. In India it’s, sadly, the other way around. People who draw attention to crimes committed against Hindus (just for being Hindus and nothing else) are in the minority position and are looked down upon. Quite peculiar! I can only think of the Armenians in Turkey to be in a similar situation, but Armenians are a very small percentage of the population, with weak political organisation and its voice is thus powerless against the proud nationalist Turkish majority. Hindus, on the other hand, are the dominant majority of India. It's a strange situation, to say the least!
Elst then explains why there is a dual cause for this impasse; there is a genuine fear of angering muslim neighbours or resuscitating dormant quarrels and there's the interest of a hostile Marxist Indian elite -- hostile to the Hindu nationalist forces that is. The Marxists do not want to highlight “reactionary” cultural conflict, because it interferes with their own political goals and arguments. For example, Marxists like to highlight how British colonialists divided muslims and Hindus against each other for selfish divide and rule purposes. While that is, in fact, true, of course, this talking point conveniently ignores serious, deep, pre-colonial conflicts. Very insidious and cynical, if you ask me. If negationism leads to dishonoring victims, this would be very dishonest and dishonorable to their plight and remembrance, but consequences for current generations would be overseeable. However, to not learn from history and risk similar atrocities in the future is stupid and dangerous; nothing screams louder than a deadly warning from the past.
The goods news (for Hindus) is that Elst is an optimist on India, Elst believes Islam "will wither away in time"; will become less strong of a force in daily life, now that more people (including muslims) learn to doubt dubious religious claims. This was a bit of a weird take, because Elst himself is a very religious, or at least spiritual, man. Concluding, Elst’s book was written in 1992, over 25 years ago; his optimism has not been validated so far. I suspect ancient cultural and religious conflicts will remain with India for a lot longer -- then again, India is not exactly alone here, all of us suffer that plight.
June 16, 2019
A great book on the secularist denial of centuries of genocidal campaigns on Hindus by Islamic invaders. Elst dispassionately analyses the secularist narrative of muslim rule being benign and the genocide of Hindus to be not motivated by religious mandate and conclusively proves it to be false. The secularist denial of centuries of violence on Hindus is the most dishonest exercise that has been going for too long and passes of as received wisdom. The book serves as an eye-opener and lets the reader have a clear historical perspective.
March 5, 2022
awesome, must read book for all Indians. His observations on the negationism practised in India by secularists, marxists and islamists are spot on.
February 12, 2019
Genocide of hindus during islamic rule is still not recognized and there have been a lot of effort going on to hide this part of history.. Koenraad Elst goes into the detail of the reason behind this negationism.. a must read..
May 2, 2017
Every person interested in cause/effect of politics should read this...and open your eyes-
October 14, 2020
Must read for history lovers. Begs the question that if the history of anti-semitism, crimes against Native Americans and slavery can be taught without any prejudice against a particular race, then is it time to rewrite Indian history with the inclusion of the Islamic conquests without turning it into a ‘secularism’ issue? Elst is very passionate about this issue and puts forth some well researched facts.
Elst first explains negationism: to marginalize, deny, twist the narrative of crimes against humanity for political purposes. Negationism is not particular to India or Islam, not at all; it happens in all cultures, ranging from Turkey and Rwanda to Germany and thus, also, India. However, in most countries negationism is a minority position held by the fringe of society and is actively looked down upon; in India it’s, sadly, the other way around. People who draw attention to crimes committed against Hindus (just for being Hindus and nothing else) are in the minority position and are looked down upon.
Elst then explains why there is a dual cause for this impasse; there is a genuine fear of angering muslim neighbours or resuscitating dormant quarrels and there's the interest of a hostile Marxist Indian elite -- hostile to the Hindu nationalist forces that is. If negationism leads to dishonoring victims, this would be very dishonest and dishonorable to their plight and remembrance, but the today's consequences would be overseeable, about nil.
Genocide of hindus during islamic rule is still not recognized and there have been a lot of effort going on to hide this part of history. Koenraad Elst goes into the detail of the reason behind this negationism a must read...
Elst first explains negationism: to marginalize, deny, twist the narrative of crimes against humanity for political purposes. Negationism is not particular to India or Islam, not at all; it happens in all cultures, ranging from Turkey and Rwanda to Germany and thus, also, India. However, in most countries negationism is a minority position held by the fringe of society and is actively looked down upon; in India it’s, sadly, the other way around. People who draw attention to crimes committed against Hindus (just for being Hindus and nothing else) are in the minority position and are looked down upon.
Elst then explains why there is a dual cause for this impasse; there is a genuine fear of angering muslim neighbours or resuscitating dormant quarrels and there's the interest of a hostile Marxist Indian elite -- hostile to the Hindu nationalist forces that is. If negationism leads to dishonoring victims, this would be very dishonest and dishonorable to their plight and remembrance, but the today's consequences would be overseeable, about nil.
Genocide of hindus during islamic rule is still not recognized and there have been a lot of effort going on to hide this part of history. Koenraad Elst goes into the detail of the reason behind this negationism a must read...
December 14, 2019
In his autography, How I Became a Hindu, Sita Ram Goel reminiscences of his first meeting with a Belgian young man named Koenraad Elst: “…I did not know at that time that the thirty-one years old Belgian we had met was a prodigy, and that he felt so deeply about Hindus having a good case but presenting it very badly.”
In Negationisn in India (originally published in 1992; this is the 2019 Reprint), Elst more than justifies the confidence placed on him. The subject of the book was originally a review of Goel’s Hindu Temples, What Happened to Them, Vol 2: The Islamic Evidence. Elst has chosen to elaborate it with fresh insights.
He, however, sounds a little despondent.
Because, he feels, the generation of historians that had the foresight, sagacity, knowledge and wisdom to correct the perversion of Indian history committed by the Nehruvian historians is passing away and no new voice has come up to take their place.
Elst minces no words as he elaborates how negationism (defined as not a representation of known facts, but the denial of known facts) has taken a stranglehold of the middle class India and the nation’s media, academia and intelligentsia.
And the results are there for all to see.
Negationisn in India is a forceful and lucid argument for the Sanatan India.
Only complaint is that it does not have a bibliography. Listing of references for additional reading would have encouraged the reader to look for more.
In brief, a very commendable effort.
In Negationisn in India (originally published in 1992; this is the 2019 Reprint), Elst more than justifies the confidence placed on him. The subject of the book was originally a review of Goel’s Hindu Temples, What Happened to Them, Vol 2: The Islamic Evidence. Elst has chosen to elaborate it with fresh insights.
He, however, sounds a little despondent.
Because, he feels, the generation of historians that had the foresight, sagacity, knowledge and wisdom to correct the perversion of Indian history committed by the Nehruvian historians is passing away and no new voice has come up to take their place.
Elst minces no words as he elaborates how negationism (defined as not a representation of known facts, but the denial of known facts) has taken a stranglehold of the middle class India and the nation’s media, academia and intelligentsia.
And the results are there for all to see.
Negationisn in India is a forceful and lucid argument for the Sanatan India.
Only complaint is that it does not have a bibliography. Listing of references for additional reading would have encouraged the reader to look for more.
In brief, a very commendable effort.
October 5, 2020
Must read for history lovers. Begs the question that if the history of anti-semitism, crimes against Native Americans and slavery can be taught without any prejudice against a particular race, then is it time to re write Indian history with the inclusion of the Islamic conquests without turning it into a ‘secularism’ issue? Elst is very passionate about this issue and puts forth some well researched facts. I just wish that there were more details included about the forced conversions and genocide. He does tend to iterate over certain topics. The spelling mistakes and editing are bothersome.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews