What does Religion Truly Mean? Which is True Religion?

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Periyar Speaks

Excerpts from Periyar’s speech delivered on 4th February 1947 at Kilakarai town in today’s Ramanathapuram district, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed

Dear Comrades and friends, today’s meet is certainly an exceptional one since it is on the day of the birth of Prophet Mohammed who existed selflessly for the enlightenment of succeeding Muslim generations. He was a scholarly guide to nearly sixty crore population of the world on the path of religion and an unparalleled preacher with forethoughts who sacrificed himself for the cause of public welfare. For the Islamic community this day is sacred and felicitous.

What Religion means to me

The credit should go to Islam for inviting me to this meet, though I am against religion, according to some people. I seem as one who denies the existence of God. Inspite of such misconceptions about me I have been invited to deliver a speech today. Naturally, my presence here would be puzzling to some of you. That is because my views on god and religion have been misunderstood. Therefore I wish to explain to day what religion really means to me and which is true religion in my opinion.

It is Islam religion which has been guiding people in the right direction by preaching values of life and serving them with a broad minded outlook and liberal approach. Among millions of species on earth, man alone is a social animal with reasoning power and intellect. He needs a hold to lay the path for a life of co-habitation. Therefore he does need religion to co-exist peacefully with others and to refine himself. A path laid for this purpose is considered by man as religion. Muslims call it Islamic way and Christians too treat their route as Christian way of life. There are other different views such as Saivities, Vaishnavites, and Tamil people views. Infact, it is not yet clear which language the word ‘religion’ originated from. For most people this word is still quizzical. There is no definite consensus in this regard.

Deceptive Views

Some people babble that religion binds man with god and that it leads man to reach god. This is skullduggery in my opinion. It is a crazy view which is absolutely deceptive. Why should man alone be bound and unified with god? Don’t birds, beasts and animals have the right for bondage with god? Are they not god’s creations? Should we mean that all other creatures are on the highest level of intellect, unlike man, to reach god?

Objective of Religion

Why is religion inevitable for mankind? It is indispensable because it can make him a humanist in interactions with other people. It can make his character unblemished and conduct impeccable. Instead, if he remains self centered and avaricious, dreaming of his own salvation and his own attainment of divine glory, I would call his religion a sign of insanity and a concept utterly malicious. Ignoring his responsibilities in this world as if life on earth is illusory, his religion is absolute idiocy. Because of this view of mine I am being labeled an anti-religion by some religious fanatics. I am against religions which make people ignoble. But I am always in favour of any religion which makes every man and woman truly righteous. I would always welcome a religion which makes a man honest, helpful and real humanist.

Religious Exponents Today

None of the virtues stated by me could be found today in the Aryan religion called Hindu religion. It cannot be seen in any activity of its exponents. Flesh trade, theft, murders and exploitation of the poor labourers are all acceptable to them inorder to attain salvation. The Aryan religion approves degrading and dividing people. Uncouth ruffians and lumpens suppressing others are not a crime at all for them. Should we not annihilate such religions? I am very particular about eradicating only such evil religions.

If religions spread the message of love and humanism why do we hear about unrest, violence and crimes from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari, all over our country? Does any of such insane religions have atleast one noble objective? In brief, the unrest widespread is caused only by the clashes between Aryan and non-aryan elements. The strife between Hindu and Muslims, brahmins and non-brahmins, Aryans and Dravidians – all these are infact strife between the Aryan and non-Aryan. Clashes among various other religious sects are also to be viewed as strife between the Aryan and the non-Aryan. The ulterior motive of each is to have the country ruled as per the codes of it and as per the policies and principles underlying it. This objective applies to the commotion and revolt cropped up by almost all in some religions.

Religious Harmony

Religions are the root cause of political and social rebellions in our country. But there is religious harmony between our Dravidar Kazhagam and Islam. On the surface level there may be difference but we are both amicable. We are on the same wave length of belief that all are equal by birth and that there should be no discrimination. Infact Muslims, Christians and Dravidians could be clubbed as one single race of identical policies.

Some Work Hard-Some Hardly Work

The instigation of the Aryans always ignites violence and unrest everywhere. A Muslim Dravidian, a Christian-Dravidian and a Dravidian who is neither a Muslim nor a Christian, lives as a loyal Indian and dies as a faithful citizen, leaving behind all that he earned lifelong, either here or abroad. Such noble people can never betray the nation or harm its people. The Aryan religion comprises two groups of people – one that works and consumes, the other which consumes without producing. One works hard while the other hardly works. Hence, we find endless religion-based unrest. This unrest would end, only if the Aryans realize that the objective of a religion should be public service and efforts to establish equality and universal brotherhood.

Barbaric Provocation

Some crazy religious exponents instigate people to lay down their lives for the sake of their religion. This is absurd. It is a barbaric provocation. It is like forcing a man to sacrifice his life for his wife. Why should he lose something which he has to protect? Does it not sound ridiculous? Such senseless provocations would only make people hard-core criminals-not refined individuals who could love and care for others. Don’t you agree with me? If a man believes that love is god and god is love but violently assaults his opponent, does it not seem ridiculous? Is this the way to safeguard a love based divine religion?

Muddled Views

If people are given the correct definition for religion and made to know the objective of religion, there would be no discrimination between the Islamic and the Dravidian. Inspite of belonging to the same religion, if people maintain distance from one another in public life and in activities of day to day routine life, can it be considered a religion in the first-place? Is it not betrayal, wickedness and selfishness?

Most people in our country do not have a clear idea pertaining to the concept called religion. Their views are muddled. The Dravidians, other than the Islamics and Christians, are involved merely in mutual recriminations and mud-slinging. They have nothing in common in principles and policies. I find only pretensions, hypocrisy and personal vendetta caused by pride and prejudice.

Mere Abbreviation

People who are other than Muslims and Christians are generalised as Hindus but it is not explained whether it is the name of a community, race or religion. The word “Hindu” must be an abbreviation for the word “Indian”, – just as a man of Arabia is called ‘Arab’ and as a person of Russia is called ‘Russian’. I believe that religion has nothing to do with the word ‘Hindu’. Research scholars have come out with various explanations but none calls it a religion. There is no authenticated record to prove that it is a religion.

For Buddhism and Christianity, we are aware of the origin and the founders. Even for Saiva religion and Vaishnavism, we have related names of Siva and Vishnu. But without any reference to founders, relevant records, names of gods and supporting evidence if a religion is adopted and followed, how are we to accept it blindly as “Hindu religion”?

Strategy of Brahmins

Taking advantage of the confusion prevailing, brahmins daringly proclaim that there is no religion called “Hindu religion” and that it is in fact their Aryan religion. The term “Hindu religion” is actually being strategically misused to keep gullible people confined in the darkness of ignorance. Wicked people smartly use the term to reap benefits for their own prosperity.

Another coterie of brahmins keep babbling that Manusmriti is the code of conduct for the Hindu religion. Thus, we find that none has reached the bottom of this mess. As long as the term ‘Hindu’ is in vogue, religious revolts, rebellions and recriminations are sure to exist. There would be absolute peace in India if this term “Hindu” is annihilated.

The Dravidians called Hindus should educate people sufficiently in this regard. Degradation and disgrace of every sort must vanish. Denial of god and religion can never harm this world. On the other hand, there are some reforms atleast to some extent, which is a solace.

Courtesy: ‘Kudi Arasu’

15th & 22nd February 1947

Translated by Prof. M.R.Manohar

- the modern rationalist

Ending Blasphesmy laws Initiatives of American Humanist Association

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Roy Speckhardt
Executive Director
American Humanist Association

In a momentous victory for the rights of humanists, non-theists, and religious minorities around the world, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 512, which calls for a global end of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws.

This work is critical. Blasphemy laws exist in more than a third of the world’s countries, and ban criticism of religious beliefs, symbols, and figures.  In several countries, the penalty for violating a blasphemy law is death.

The American Humanist Association (AHA) worked hard to help the House bring this historic resolution to a vote. Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-8), who introduced and championed the bipartisan resolution recognized the hard work of humanists when he said,

“No one on earth should spend a single day in prison for his or her religious beliefs but hundreds of innocent people have been sentenced to months or years behind bars for these imaginary religious offenses.  Our Resolution is a small but important step in prioritizing religious freedom and liberty of conscience worldwide and I thank AHA for uplifting it.”

H.Res.512’s passage is an important milestone for unfettered religious expression around the world. Individuals of a minority faith – or no faith at all – should have the latitude to question religion and religious practices without fear of repercussions.

We are proud to continue AHA’s tradition of standing on the side of freedom of and from religion, and we applaud the House’s leadership on this legislation, but our work is far from over. We must not only continue to dismantle blasphemy laws around the world, but also call for the immediate release of those who are unjustly detained.

- the modern rationalist

Periyar’s impact in Sri Lanka

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T. Sabaratnam
Journalist who reported the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis for over 50 years

Social Reform Movement

Social reform had been the main objective of the Jaffna Students Congress from its inception. As pointed out in the last chapter, the Jaffna Students Congress resolved in its first sessions to work towards the eradication of social evils, particularly untouchability and the dowry system. In that they were influenced by the Vaikom Satyagraha which took place in the Travancore state, now a portion of the Kerala state.

Vaikom Satyagraha was the first agitation for social equality in India. Roads adjoining the famous Sri Mahadevar Temple were banned for the use of uintouchables who were also called Harijans. Temple priests claimed that the use of the roads by untouchables would pollute them. Indian National Congress members of the Travancore state, decided to take action to abolish that degrading system. They decided to hold a satyagraha on March 30, 1924. Temple trustees went to the magistrate court and obtained an order prohibiting the satyagrahis from entering the prohibited roads. Notice boards announcing the order of the court were erected at the entrances of the prohibited roads and police constables were placed to implement the court order.

The Congress members decided to defy the order and court arrest. Every day batches of Congress volunteers headed by high caste Nairs entered the prohibited roads and were arrested. The agitation received wide publicity in India and Sri Lanka. Jaffna youths followed it with interest.

Erode Venkata Ramasamy Naiker (1879- 1973), popularly known as EVR or Periyar, was the leader of the Madras Presidency unit of the Indian National Congress during that time. He was from a rich merchant family of Karnataka origin that had settled down at Erode. He entered the family business at the age of 12 but gave it up and joined the Congress in 1919. He rose to the position of a member of the Erode Municipality before he was elected leader of the Congress unit in 1924.

Defying the order of Gandhi that non-Malayalis should keep out of the Vaikom Satyagraha he joined it on April 14 with his wife Nagamma and were arrested and jailed. He was unrelenting and refused to leave Vaikom until the road was opened.

Gandhi, who was informed of the agitation, went to Vaikom in 1925, negotiated with Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore, and worked out a compromise: the government to withdraw the police and the satiyagrahis to put off the agitation. The satyagraha received nation-wide attention and the members of the newly formed Jaffna Students’ Congress sent volunteers to participate in it.

Maharani Lakshmi Bayi (1895- 1985) who was regent for her nephew Chitra Thirunal from 1924 till late 1931 followed up the compromise worked out with Gandhi by throwing all the streets in Travancore open for the use of untouchables. She won the praise of all Hindus by abolishing the Devadasi system in 1925, by abolishing animal sacrifice and the practice that all female worshippers should bare their breasts on entering the temples in 1926 and by introducing the panchayat system. Those reforms invigorated the reformists in Tamil Nadu and Jaffna.

E.V. Ramaswamy Naiker was unhappy with the compromise Gandhi worked out with Maharani Lakshmi Bayi because he felt that Brahmins were helping each other to the detriment of the non- Brahmins. He was also annoyed that his role in the Vaikom Satyagraha was blacked out in the newspapers owned by the Brahmins.

Frustrated, E.V. Ramaswamy Naiker left the Congress in November 1925 and formed the Self-respect Movement which was “dedicated to the goal of giving non-Brahmins a sense of pride based on their Dravidian past”. He then launched a vigorous campaign for social reform while other nationalist movements focused on the struggle for political independence. His attack was mainly against the caste system, child marriage, ridiculous and harmful superstitions, traditions, customs and habits.

To propagate the ideals of the Self Respect Movement E.V. Ramaswamy Naiker started a Tamil weekly Kudi Arasu which became very popular among the Tamils. He started an English weekly Revolt in 1928.

The Self Respect Movement grew fast and received the sympathy of the heads of the Justice Party from the beginning. It held its first conference in February 1929 at Chinglepet. EVR announced at that conference his decision to renounce the caste denomination Naiker from his name.

The Self Respect Movement started a training school in Self-Respect at Erode, EVR’s home town to train volunteers to propagate the ideals of the organization. Its aim was social revolution. Handy Perinbanayagam told me that the Jaffna Youth Congress sent a volunteer group to be trained at that training camp.

One month before the Chinglepet conference, the Jaffna Youth Congress held its annual sessions at the Jaffna esplanade.  It adopted a resolution to upgrade the network of Social Service Leagues established in 1925 into youth leagues. The conference also decided to invite EVR to tour Jaffna.

EVR arrived in Jaffna on June 14, 1937 and was accorded a grand welcome at the Jaffna esplanade that evening. The Morning Star of June 22 reported that EVR told the huge gathering, “I don’t believe in God but I was born in a highly religious family. I became an atheist after seeing the things that are being done in the name of God. How can you believe in God when a section of the people are denied entry into the temple?”

EVR condemned animal sacrifice, told the audience not to believe in superstitions and declared the practice of denying educational opportunities to the children of a section of the depressed community as atrocious. He also castigated the members of the high castes for discriminating against the children of the low caste people in the seating arrangements in schools.

EVR also spoke on national liberation. He said social reform should be part of the freedom struggle. “We must put our house in order before we achieve independence,” he said.

Then EVR toured Jaffna for two weeks and visited several schools and villages. The Youth Leagues organized huge receptions. E.V.R. appealed to the youths to take the lead in the social emancipation of the downtrodden people of the Jaffna peninsula. He told them to concentrate initially on the fields of education and economic development. He appealed to the youths to end the caste discrimination practiced in admission and seating.

Jaffna schools at that time refused admission to the children of the paraya caste, the lowest in the caste ladder. They admitted the children of the other non-vellala castes but they had to either sit on the ground or sit on benches a few inches lower than those on which vellala children sat.

According the Morning Star and Uthayatharakai EVR denounced that practice as inhuman and barbaric. He urged the educated youths to remedy the situation.

Courtesy : Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle, Chapter 20

- the modern nationalist

Women as depicted in the Manusmriti

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Hirday N.Patwari

The Manusmriti also known as Manav Dharam Shastra, is the earliest metrical work on Brahminical Dharma in Hinduism. According to Hindu mythology, the Manusmriti is the word of Brahma, and it is classified as the most authoritative statement on Dharma.The scripture consists of 2690 verses, divided into 12 chapters.  It is presumed that the actual human author of this compilation used the eponym ‘Manu’, which has led the text to be associated by Hindus with the first human being and the first king in the Indian tradition.

Although no details of this eponymous author’s life are known, it is likely that he belonged to a conservative Brahman class somewhere in Northern India. Hindu apologists consider the Manusmriti as the divine code of conduct and, accordingly, the status of women as depicted in the text has been interpreted as Hindu divine law. While defending Manusmriti as divine code of conduct for all including women, apologists often quote the verse: “yatrnaryastopojyantay, ramantaytatrdevta” [3/56] (where women are provided place of honor, gods are pleased and reside there in that household), but they deliberately forget all those verses that are full of prejudice, hatred  and discrimination against women.

Here are some of the ‘celebrated’ derogatory comments about women in the Manusmriti :

1. “Swabhavevnarinam……….” – 2/213. It is the nature of women to seduce men in this world; for that reason, the wise are never unguarded in the company of females.
2. “Avidvamsamlam………..” – 2/214. Women, true to their class character, are capable of leading astray men in this world, not only a fool but even a learned and wise man. Both become slaves of desire.
3. “Matraswastra ………..” – 2/215. Wise people should avoid sitting alone with one’s mother, daughter or sister. Since carnal desire is always strong, it can lead to temptation.
4. “Naudwahay……………..” – 3/8. One should not marry women who have reddish hair, redundant parts of the body [such as six fingers], one who is often sick, one without hair or having excessive hair and one who has red eyes.
5. “Nrakshvraksh ………..” – 3/9. One should not marry women whose names are similar to constellations, trees, rivers, those from a low caste, mountains, birds, snakes, slaves or those whose names inspires terror.
6. “Yastonabhavet…..…..” – 3/10. Wise men should not marry women who do not have a brother and whose parents are not socially well known.
7. “Uchayangh…………….” – 3/11. Wise men should marry only women who are free from bodily defects, with beautiful names, grace/gait like an elephant, moderate hair on the head and body, soft limbs and small teeth.
8. “Shudr-aivbharya………” – 3/12.Brahman men can marry Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and even Shudra women but Shudra men can marry only Shudra women.
9. “Na Brahman kshatriya..” – 3/14. Although Brahman, Kshatriya and Vaishya men have been allowed inter-caste marriages, even in distress they should not marry Shudra women.
10. “Heenjatistriyam……..” – 3/15. When twice born [dwij=Brahman, Kshatriya and Vaishya men in their folly marry low caste Shudra women, they are responsible for the degradation of their whole family. Accordingly, their children adopt all the demerits of the Shudra caste.
11. “Shudramshaynam……” – 3/17. A Brahman who marries a Shudra woman, degrades himself and his whole family,becomes morally degenerated, loses Brahman status and his children too attain status  of Shudra.
12. “Daivpitrya………………” – 3/18. The offerings made by such a person at the time of established rituals are neither accepted by God nor by the departed soul; guests also refuse to have meals with him and he is bound to go to hell after death.
13. “Chandalash ……………” – 3/240. Food offered and served to Brahman after Shradh ritual should not be seen by a chandal, a pig, a cock, a dog, and a menstruating woman.
14. “Na ashniyat…………….” – 4/43. A Brahman, true defender of his class, should not have his meals in the company of his wife and even avoid looking at her. Furthermore, he should not look towards her when she is having her meals or when she sneezes/yawns.
15. “Na ajyanti……………….” – 4/44. A Brahman in order to preserve his energy and intellect, must not look at women who applies collyrium to her eyes, one who is massaging her nude body or one who is delivering a child.
16. “Mrshyanti…………….” – 4/217. One should not accept meals from a woman who has extra marital relations; nor from a family exclusively dominated/managed by women or a family whose 10 days of impurity because of death have not passed.
17. “Balyava………………….” – 5/150. A female child, young woman or old woman is not supposed to work independently even at her place of residence.
18. “Balyepitorvashay…….” – 5/151. Girls are supposed to be in the custody of their father when they are children, women must be under the custody of their husband when married and under the custody of her son as widows. In no circumstances is she allowed to assert herself independently.
19. “Asheela  kamvrto………” – 5/157. Men may be lacking virtue, be sexual perverts, immoral and devoid of any good qualities, and yet women must constantly worship and serve their husbands.
20. “Na aststrinam………..” – 5/158. Women have no divine right to perform any religious ritual, nor make vows or observe a fast. Her only duty is to obey and please her husband and she will for that reason alone be exalted in heaven.
21. “Kamam to………………” – 5/160. At her pleasure [after the death of her husband], let her emaciate her body by living only on pure flowers, roots of vegetables and fruits. She must not even mention the name of any other man after her husband has died.
22. “Vyabhacharay…………” – 5/167. Any woman violating duty and code of conduct towards her husband, is disgraced and becomes a patient of leprosy. After death, she enters womb of Jackal.
23. “Kanyambhajanti……..” – 8/364. In case women enjoy sex with a man from a higher caste, the act is not punishable. But on the contrary, if women enjoy sex with lower caste men, she is to be punished and kept in isolation.
24. “Utmamsevmansto…….” – 8/365. In case a man from a lower caste enjoys sex with a woman from a higher caste, the person in question is to be awarded the death sentence. And if a person satisfies his carnal desire with women of his own caste, he should be asked to pay compensation to the women’s faith.
25. “Ya to kanya…………….” – 8/369. In case a woman tears the membrane [hymen] of her Vagina, she shall instantly have her head shaved or two fingers cut off and made to ride on Donkey.
26. “Bhartaram…………….” – 8/370. In case a woman, proud of the greatness of her excellence or her relatives, violates her duty towards her husband, the King shall arrange to have her thrown before dogs at a public place.
27. “Pita rakhshati……….” – 9/3. Since women are not capable of living independently, she is to be kept under the custody of her father as child, under her husband as a woman and under her son as widow.
28. “Imam hi sarw………..” – 9/6. It is the duty of all husbands to exert total control over their wives. Even physically weak husbands must strive to control their wives.
29. “Patibharyam ……….” – 9/8. The husband, after the conception of his wife, becomes the embryo and is born again of her. This explains why women are called Jaya.
30. “Panamdurjan………” – 9/13. Consuming liquor, association with wicked persons, separation from her husband, rambling around, sleeping for unreasonable hours and dwelling -are six demerits of women.
31. “Naitarupam……………” – 9/14. Such women are not loyal and have extra marital relations with men without consideration for their age.
32. “Poonshchalya…………” – 9/15. Because of their passion for men, immutable temper and natural heartlessness, they are not loyal to their husbands.
33. “Na astistrinam………” – 9/18. While performing namkarm and jatkarm, Vedic mantras are not to be recited by women, because women are lacking in strength and knowledge of Vedic texts. Women are impure and represent falsehood.
34. “Devra…sapinda………” – 9/58. On failure to produce offspring with her husband, she may obtain offspring by cohabitation with her brother-in-law [devar] or with some other relative [sapinda] on her in-law’s side.
35. “Vidwayam…………….” – 9/60. He who is appointed to cohabit with a widow shall approach her at night, be anointed  with clarified butter and silently beget one son, but by no means a second one.
36. “Yathavidy……………..” – 9/70. In accordance with established law, the sister-in-law [bhabhi] must be clad in white garments; with pure intent her brother-in-law [devar] will cohabitate with her until she conceives.
37. “Atikramay……………” – 9/77. Any woman who disobey orders of her lethargic, alcoholic and diseased husband shall be deserted for three months and be deprived of her ornaments.
38. “Vandyashtamay…….” – 9/80. A barren wife may be superseded in the 8th year; she whose children die may be superseded in the 10th year and she who bears only daughters may be superseded in the 11th year;  but she who is quarrelsome may be superseded without delay.
39. “Trinsha……………….” – 9/93. In case of any problem in performing religious rites, males between the age of 24 and 30 should marry a female between the age of 8 and 12.
40. “Yambrahmansto…….” – 9/177. In case a Brahman man marries Shudra woman, their son will be called ‘Parshav’ or ‘Shudra’ because his social existence is like a dead body

Courtesy : nirmukta, August 27, 2011

- the modern rationalist

Laws for Social Changes

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N. Anandam
Rationalist Writer

Law has been defined as ‘a formula which expresses the necessity of an action.’ This necessity may indicate what a thing is or what a thing should be. Law and morality may seem as two different things, but it is admitted implicitly and explicitly that law had a streak or element of morality.  Ideal laws are those which serve moral ends. Good laws are those which honour human dignity and safeguard the non-alienable rights of the human beings.

Indian society was in a rotten condition during the 19th and 20th Century. About eighty percent of the people lived like slaves to about twenty percent upper castes. Numerous oppressive and inhuman social customs existed in the name of god, religion and caste system. Indian society was in an uncivilized condition then. In that period, one’s birth or caste decided one’s profession and social status throughout one’s life. Interhuman relationship was that of master and slave. Social mores were barbaric.

This condition changed only with the British rule. They enacted many wise laws in the 19th and 20th centuries and their enforcement relieved the people from many oppressive and uncivilized social customs and beliefs. It is interesting to know about those laws and their good effects in the then rotten Indian society. It also enlightens us how wise laws and good-government can cause positive social changes in a fatalistic and ignorant society.

In 1829 CE the British rule enacted Sati Abolition Act. Sati refers to the practice of immolation of Hindu woman on the death of her husband in the funeral pyre. William Carey, an English missionary fought against this barbaric practice. Social reformer Rammohan Roy fought against Sati. Lord William Bentinck enacted the law in 1829 prohibiting Sati. He helped Rammohan Roy to suppress many social evils like Sati, child marriage and female infanticide.

In 1856, the British rule enacted ‘Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act’. It permitted Hindu widows to remarry anyone whom they wish. It legalised the widows’ remarriage ignoring the objections of the fanatic Hindu priestly class. The Act was drafted by Lord Dalhousie and passed by Lord Canning.

In 1929, it enacted ‘Child Marriage Restraint Act’ since child marriage was practised widely, particularly in North – western region of India. Initially, it fixed the marriageable age for girls as 14 years and 18 years for boys. Later, it was amended to 18 years and 21 years for girls and boys respectively. It is known as ‘Sarda Act’, after its sponsor Harbilas Sarda.

In addition, the British rule treated all the citizens equal before law, irrespective of one’s caste and religion. The civil and criminal laws enacted by them treated all the citizens equal. They gave education to all citizens irrespective of one’s religion and caste. Thus, the British rule, enacted several good laws and eradicated many social evils that existed in the name of religion, caste and custom.

After political independence in 1947, Indian Government should have enacted similar wise laws and controlled the social evils and many irrational beliefs that arrest our progress. For example, it failed to enact any law to eradicate ‘caste system’, the main social evil of the Indian society. It failed to enact any law to curb the blind faith in cow-worship and astrology. Hindu fanatics prevent the government from taking any progressive measures. This is nothing but a retrograde move.

For this condition, Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948) is responsible. The reason is that he mixed religion with politics unwisely. Gandhi said that he followed the Russian novelist and essayist Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910). Tolstoy also had contact with Gandhi through letters. He studied his thoughts carefully and commented: ‘Gandhi had little to offer to the truth seekers’. Tolstoy, in the last year of his life (1910) commented Gandhi adversely. He said that ‘His Hindu nationalism spoils everything.’ The British novelist, essayist and Nobel laureate, V.S. Naipaul (1932-2018) has recorded this in his book. ‘India: A Wounded Civilization’ .

True to Tolstoy’s prediction, Gandhi’s Hindu nationalism has spoiled politics in India thoroughly. Gandhi’s ideas on secularism are totally wrong and unscientific.

The government carried out many irrational activities based on Hindu religious beliefs. For instance, the present government spends huge amount for maintaining several lakhs of old and useless cows to uphold the Hindu belief that cow is a holy animal. It spends huge amount unnecessarily for the propagation of a dead language ‘Sanskrit’. It allows the Universities to teach ‘Astrology’ as science though thinkers throughout the world consider it as a superstition. In addition, the rulers visit Hindu temples often and give wide publicity to many irrational Hindu beliefs and customs.

Thus, Hindu nationalism plays havoc in Indian society. Hindu fanatics try to rationalize every obnoxious Hindu institution and every Hindu custom. The Brahmin priestly class in their self-interest misguide the people in the name of Hindu religion and exploit the non-brahmins to the core. In the name of god, religion and caste system, they make non-brahmins stupid. Consequently, majority of the people in India are more superstitious and fatalistic than any other people in the world. This pathetic condition is the reward for following Gandhi who advocated Hindu nationalism and Hindu secularism! Without coming out of this quagmire, India can’t develop a good government. Without coming out of Hindu nationalism, India can’t enact wise laws and eradicate many social evils that keep the Indian society primitive and uncivilized. India cannot develop a humane society. This is the ground reality.

European renaissance and progress are a lesson to us. Before renaissance, Europeans also believed everything said in the name of religion. From the fifteenth century onwards, the rationalists motivated the people to think independently and realize truth. Soon the people thought independently and discarded many irrational beliefs and customs based on reason. People became more rational and critical minded. This change of mindset is responsible for their progress.

In the same manner, we need to inculcate the spirit and love for reasoning and scientific enquiry. It will motivate the people to put their religious faith and beliefs under critical analysis. On impartial enquiry, they will realize that the doctrines and beliefs of Hindu religion are irrational and fit for discarding. They will lose their blind faith in Hinduism and Hindu nationalism. They will become secular in their outlook and make Indian Government a truly secular government. A good and wise government will enact wise laws and change Indian society into a progressive society.

Modern world history reveals that only secular countries have achieved peace and progress. The USA became secular in 1789 itself. It separated religion from the state during the eighteenth century itself. Many countries followed that ideal and separated religion from the state. Those countries have progressed.

The religious countries mix religion with politics. In these countries the state gives much importance to all the religious faiths and beliefs blindly. As a result, much human energy and natural wealth gets wasted in prayers and meaningless rituals. The religions’ rigidity deadens the thinking faculty of the human beings. Consequently, religious countries remain static and stagnant. The static condition of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Islamic countries, India and Nepal are good examples.

Observing this, every country needs to become a secular country. India needs to become a real secular country to have a good government and to foster social changes.

-the modern rationalist

Why Communal G.O.? || Periyar Screen || Periyar Speech

Why Communal G.O.? || Periyar Screen || Periyar Speech