Introduction to the issue: Academic Study of Religion in South Asia

A comparative perspective in the study of religion, which goes beyond the Eurocentric interests with their predominating Judeo‑Christian standpoint, has already been taken up in one of our previous issues (Argument: Biannual Philosophical Journal, 2014, Vol. 4, No. 1). This time, we focus on the South Asian context only. In particular, we discuss the academic approach to the study of religion in contemporary India and Bangladesh, which may be distinguished from other attitudes such as the theological study of religion or a traditional insiders’ reflection on their own/other religion(s), including the perspective of a proselyte, or a more selective and instrumental engagement in religious issues typical of the on‑going political debates.