ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 addresses questions about how Hinduism is “managed” in the electronic public sphere. This is done by exploring Arvind Rajagopal’s concept of a “split public,” addressing some of the theoretical points that are relevant throughout his work and their broader importance to studying religion and culture online. A more thorough discussion of Lorne Dawson’s “crises of authority and authenticity” is introduced, which is a dominant theme throughout the volume, with the example of Wendy Doniger’s book banning. There is a shift to a discussion of “presentation” and “management” of Hinduism online, analyzing VHP and BJP propaganda, the importance of historical narratives, and the example of the BJP webpage’s evolution over time. This is another useful illustration of how its presentation of Hindutva ideology has shifted with the changing of the Web, and how such rhetoric ripples into other digital domains.
