A powerpoint evaluating how three sources view the claims by Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, a world-renowned author and winner of the Jnanapith Award, concerning Brahmins eating meat during Vedic times.

1. DR. U.R.
ANANAMURTHY
MAKES
CONTROVERSIAL
CLAIMS

2. Topic Importance
• Clearly important to Hindus based on the large amount of
sources present on the issue.
• In each of the three sources selected, the authors all
show that Ananthamurthy’s claims have had great effects
on the public and higher up officials.

3. What Makes The Sources Religious?
• Sources one and two both discuss Ananthamurthy’s use
of religious texts to support his argument.
• Source three talks about Brahmins (religious leaders)
gathering to discuss Ananthamurthy’s claims and how the
claims have effected Hindu faith followers.
• Ananthamurthy’s claims are also clearly religious because
they concern religious leaders.

4. Basis of Arguments
• The author of source one bases his writing off of an
interview with Ananthamurthy, giving this source more
credibility because it’s a direct portrayal of
Ananthamurthy’s claims from the man himself. The author
uses this to be more opinionated in the questions he asks,
though.
• The author of source two seemingly bases his or her
commentary on Ananthamurthy’s claims off of news
compiled on all of Ananthamurthy’s recent activities
present in the media, not from direct contact with
Ananthamurthy.
• The author of source three gives his or her unopinionated
report on Ananthamurthy based on news gathered about
the topic, not from direct contact with Ananthamurthy.

5. How Ananthamurthy is Portrayed
• All of the sources are in agreement in the sense that they show
that his claims have hurt people, but they negatively portray
him differently.
• The author of source one is noticeably not supportive of
Ananthamurthy for his claims, and shows much opinion on the
subject in this report.
• The author of source two also shows some opinion, though not
as much as the first source, and shows his or her disapproval
of Ananthamurthy in all of his opinions, not just his claims on
Brahmins eating meat.
• The author of source three is strictly reporting on this matter
with the sole intent of analyzing the topic and getting the news
out to followers, not commenting personally on it.

6. Offensive Because…
• The sources emphasize different reasons for Ananthamurthy’s
claims being offensive.
• Source one presents that people (most likely but not
necessarily Hindus) are offended because Ananthamurthy
does not have significant proof to back up his claims.
• Source two shows that higher up religious officials are offended
because he bluntly told them to go read the religious texts that
they are supposed to be so familiar with.
• The last source shows that people are offended by his claims,
but doesn’t give a reason why. The reader can imply that it is
due to Hindu belief that Brahmins have never eaten meat, but
this is not necessarily the reason for their anger.

7. How Hindus Have Been Reacting
• Each source shows that lay people and higher ups (both
assumingly Hindus) are very upset over this issue, but in
different magnitudes
• The first source claims that peoples’ feelings are
extremely hurt, and these people are even demanding
legal recourse for Ananthamurthy.
• Source two presents that higher up officials and
supporters of these officials are furious.
• Source three shows that the group of Brahmin officials
that gathered to discuss this issue are outraged to the
point of condemning Ananthamurthy for his claims.