Slandering the Sacred: Blasphemy Law and Religious Affect in Colonial India

Slandering the Sacred: Blasphemy Law and Religious Affect in Colonial India
Author: J. Barton Scott
Publisher: Folio Publisher

Introduction

This book explores the history and impact of blasphemy laws in colonial India, examining their role in shaping religious discourse, legal policies, and public emotions. J. Barton Scott provides a compelling analysis of how colonial governance, religious sensitivities, and legal frameworks interacted in the formation of modern South Asian law and society.

Key Points

1. Origins and Evolution of Blasphemy Laws

• Traces the introduction of blasphemy laws under British rule.
• Analyzes the legal and political motivations behind their implementation.

2. Religious Sentiments and Colonial Rule

• Explores how British administrators navigated religious tensions in India.
• Examines legal cases and public debates surrounding blasphemy and sacrilege.

3. The Role of Affect and Emotion

• Investigates how religious sentiments, outrage, and devotion influenced legal outcomes.
• Discusses the emotional and psychological aspects of religious identity in colonial India.

4. Key Blasphemy Cases and Their Impact

• Highlights landmark cases that shaped the understanding of religious offense.
• Examines how Muslims, Hindus, and Christians responded to blasphemy laws.

5. Lasting Influence on Contemporary Laws

• Analyzes the continuation of colonial-era blasphemy laws in postcolonial India and Pakistan.
• Discusses their implications for freedom of speech and religious expression today.

Why Read This Book?

• Essential for students and scholars of legal history, religious studies, and South Asian politics.
• Provides insight into the colonial roots of modern blasphemy laws.
• Offers a detailed exploration of law, religion, and emotion in governance.
• A valuable resource for anyone interested in legal pluralism and religious tolerance.

Conclusion

Slandering the Sacred is a groundbreaking study of how colonial legal policies shaped religious identity and political discourse in South Asia. J. Barton Scott presents a nuanced analysis of blasphemy laws, religious emotions, and legal history, making this book an indispensable resource for historians, legal scholars, and those interested in the intersection of law and religion.