Hindu Response to Religious Pluralism

It is often claimed that Hinduism is the most tolerant of all religions and Hindu tolerance is the best answer in fostering peace and harmony in a multi-religious society. The author examines this claim and shows that all the possible responses to religious pluralism are found in Hinduism also. The work is mainly focussed on modern period, but one chapter is devoted to a study of ancient Indian tradition based on selected sacred texts of the Hindus, and establishes that from the very beginning there existed simultaneously diverse responses to religious pluralism, not all of them tolerant. The views of three modern Hindu thinkers – Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi -that form the basis of the book are analysed so as to show not only the main thrust of their thinking but also the differences that existed among them regarding the relation between religions. This work "shows systematic research, critical reflection on issues involved, and balanced judgement on the question of Hindu tolerance and its implications for life in a religiously plural community.