The Ministry of Culture’s Sahitya Akademi faced backlash for inviting Devdutta Pattanaik and Namita Gokhale as speakers to a seminar on Indian Mythology. As the Keynote Speaker Namita and as an Inaugural Addressee Pattanaik’s names caused the internet to drown Sahitya Akademi in spit. Consequently, the 2-day seminar stands canceled thanks to Bharat’s keyboard warriors and nationalists.
However, the initial invitation to two known Leftits “Distortians” has ignited a much-needed conversation about the erosion of cultural integrity under the guise of literary events. Both figures are notorious for distorting Indian traditions and maligning Hindu legends. Thereby, raising questions about the Ministry of Culture’s role in enabling such narratives. Let’s talk!
Sahitya Akademi and Ministry of Culture – An Attempted Disaterous Cultural Seminar!
Sahitya Akademi is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture. Even after a 10 year nationalist regime, their seminar on “culture” reeks of Leftist Propaganda. But why was the seminar such an affront to Bharat’s culture?
Firstly, its topic of ‘Indian Mythology’ was filled with gunpowder!
Bharat is struggling to shed the Leftist tag of “Mythology” on its folklore and legends. Hence, to start any event under the heading of ‘Indian Mythology’ allows the presence of “Distortians”
Secondly, they invited Devdutt Pattanaik, who is no stranger to controversy.
Devdutta Pattanaik’s career is a litany of misrepresentations and inflammatory statements aimed at Hindu culture. From twisting scriptures with flawed interpretations to endorsing divisive rhetoric, Devdutta Pattanaik does it with unashamed impunity! Hence, his work often feels like a campaign to provoke and dismantle Sanatan Dharma.
Thirdly, the Keynote Speaker was none other than the Leftist Darling – Namita Gokhale!
Namita Gokhale has made a name for herself by commodifying sacred figures like Maa Sita and Maa Radha. Her versions of folklore and Indian legends gained her access to international acclaim. Why? Because her narratives often pander to a Leftist ecosystem that thrives on the insidious representation of Hindu epics and traditions.
An Event on Indian Mythology by Ministry of Culture and Hindu Haters like Devdutt Pattanaik and Namita Gokhle are Invited
If these Leftists can get Israel Festival Cancelled, we surely can get this one Cancelled
10 Years of Modi Goverment, we can’t accept this @MinOfCultureGoI… pic.twitter.com/LpoN7ixq9f
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) November 15, 2024
Together, all three things helped Sahitya Akademi’s “seminar’ be an attempt to reduce Indian heritage to a caricature for quick global ‘leftist’ recognition.
Devdutta Pattanaik: Understanding His Pattern of Abuse and Misinformation
You can see a pattern of violent, sexually charged remarks targeted at women in several tweets of 'eminent mythologist' (as described by Sahitya Akademi) Devdutt Pattanaik. pic.twitter.com/akWHZhIhWx
— Dibakar Dutta (দিবাকর দত্ত) (@dibakardutta_) November 15, 2024
Tweets by Devdutta Pattanaik and ‘mythology’ books are a track record that speaks volumes about his true beliefs. His use of sexualized interpretations for sacred texts has drawn widespread condemnation. Worse, his abusive conduct on social media reveals a disdain for those who challenge his views. Comments by Devdutta Pattanaik on the internet has it all, from misogynistic remarks to endorsing Nepal’s claim while mocking India as a “land of monkeys.”
Hence, Devdutta Pattanaik’s rhetoric is not just anti-Hindu but anti-India.
If ever you feel dumb, just consider that this man wrote a book on using 'facts' to bust 'fake news', and then, if that was not enough, got Devdutt (of 'Vedas do not mention Shiva' and 'Vedas do not mention sanatana' infamy) to pen its Foreword. pic.twitter.com/33isfkGBXX
— Abhinav Agarwal (@AbhinavAgarwal) September 22, 2023
By aligning with figures like Wendy Doniger, Pattanaik further cements his position as a propagator of the distorted, colonial narratives about Indian culture. Inviting such a figure to inaugurate a seminar underlines the Sahitya Akademi’s troubling priorities.
Namita Gokhale: Discovering Her Cleverly Cloaked Commercializing Of Sacred Legends
Please join Anita Ratnam, Namita Gokhale and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni for this compelling conversation on women's struggles to retain autonomy in a world that continues to privilege men, using Sita as a framework. pic.twitter.com/L9SMovKH0t
— Namita Gokhale (@NamitaGokhale_) July 22, 2020
Namita Gokhale has built her brand on the backs of India’s most revered female icons, Maa Sita and Maa Radha, and Devi Lakshmi. Her work often uses these figures, their spiritual and cultural depth to enrich Leftist theories. Thereby, reducing them to mere tools for sensationalist storytelling. She sells her books by retelling folklore by adding her own flavor of leftist pandering! Hence, although her work is not entirely repulsive on its own, she uses them to betrayal the very ethos of Indian Literature.
Namita Gokhale is a celebrated writer because she aligns with a Leftist agenda that prioritizes deconstruction of indian mindset over respect for the feminine divine.
What Were You Thinking, Ministry Of Culture?
Happy to inform everyone that @MinOfCultureGoI intervened and minister @gssjodhpur ji ensured that @sahityaakademi scraps this joke of a seminar that had abusive casteist psycho @devduttmyth as a keynote speaker. A huge thanks to Shekhawat ji for taking prompt action on this… https://t.co/2roQbikjJO
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) November 15, 2024
The Ministry of Culture is tasked with safeguarding India’s heritage. The seminar’s topic and its speakers were an insult to the foundation of Bharat’s culture. Although the seminar was canceled due to the uproar among nationalists, the ministry and its officials must answer for their role in legitimizing such figures.
Allowing Pattanaik and Gokhale a government-approved stage to spearhead discussions on ‘Indian mythology’ is not just an oversight – it’s a betrayal of public trust.
The @MinOfCultureGoI is hosting this Seminar on the Topic – "Indian Mythology", inviting a bunch of leftists.
I have a serious problem with this term "Mythology" being used so generously with Hinduism and India, to describe what must be called our History.
Mythology comes from… pic.twitter.com/ty7RyMjdrN
— Amit Bhatia I अमित भाटिया (@ameet1012) November 15, 2024
The term “mythology” itself is a misnomer. Rooted in the Sanskrit word mithya, meaning falsehood. The Leftist “Distortians” weaponized this colonial term to delegitimize Hindu epics. Hence, literary events like these help the Leftist ecosystem perpetuate their narrative that undermines all efforts to restore pride in Indian history and spirituality.
Urgent Need For Course Correction
To Whoever is listening in the @narendramodi government: Sahitya Akademi needs an urgent cleansing from the leftists holed up there.
— 𝚂𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝙱𝚊𝚕𝚊𝚔𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚗𝚊 (@dharmadispatch) November 16, 2024
The Sahitya Akademi’s decision to cancel the seminar following public outrage is a step in the right direction. However, this episode underscores a deeper issue and an urgent need for course correction.
There is a deep infiltration of cultural institutions by those who seek to dismantle Indian traditions from within.
If the Ministry of Culture continues to enable such figures, how different is today’s regime from the Congress-era policies it once criticized? Genuine scholars, who approach India’s heritage with respect and rigor, are sidelined while provocateurs are given center stage.
This is not a pathway to a decolonized society and decolonized Indian minds.
Instead, it is a continuation of the same colonial narratives that have plagued India for decades.
India’s cultural guardians must choose a side. Will they continue to platform individuals like Pattanaik and Gokhale, who thrive on distorting Hindu legends and traditions? Or will they honor their responsibility to preserve the sanctity of Indian heritage? The time has come to reject Leftist propaganda masquerading as intellectual discourse. The Sahitya Akademi and the Ministry of Culture must prioritize authenticity and respect for Indian traditions over Leftist sensationalism and the applause of their ecosystem.