The Modern Rationalist Magazine - March 2024
The Modern Rationalist Magazine - March 2024
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In this issue
March 2024
Who Is Afraid Of Scientific Temper?
The stories are very powerful. Over a period of time they gain a lot of traction. The places mentioned in the stories appear to be real and people attach a lot of meaning to them out of reverence. The symbols and signs used in the stories become core elements of propaganda. Soon it becomes a machinery that establishes a structure and with a body of evidence that is highly questionable. Not many try to challenge this because of its threatening stature. Who would dare to ask if the birthplace of Jesus or Ram exactly as it is claimed? Leave alone the historical, and archeological evidence that could support it.
3 mins
The Woman and the Counter-Revolution
There is one copy with a title ‘The Woman and the Counter - Revolution’. There is another copy of the same text with a title, ‘The Riddle of the Woman’. The Editorial Board felt that this essay would be appropriate in this Volume rather than in the volume of ‘Riddles in Hinduism’ - Editors of ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches’
3 mins
THE IX SCHEDULE CREATION AND ITS EFFICIANCY
In case, any property of the citizen is to be acquired compulsorily by the State, there was also a fundamental right, under Article 31,for the citizens to get compensation. Immediately after the commencement of the constitution,many States brought agrarian reforms by legislations. When those enactments were challenged, in spite of the saving clauses found in article 31, those laws were held void as they violated the fundamental right to property of the owners/ zamindars. One such case was Kameshwar singh Vs State of Bihar [ AIR 1951 Patna 91]. The Union Government, then invented a novel devise, not only to save all such laws which were already declared unconstitutional but also to save any such law that may be passed, in future, by legislatures.
9 mins
Social Justice and Humanism
Once prejudice against nontheists fades away, religious favoritism is removed from government, humanists are appreciated for our kind and reason-based thinking, then humanists everywhere can begin to focus full-time on promoting our science-based, compassionate, and egalitarian vision for our world. But we can’t wait until such a day dawns; we must assert ourselves today to make a difference in as many ways as possible, even if we have not yet realized many of our longstanding goals. To delay action on other fronts, when action could improve lives, would be to negatively impact the fates of many. This isn’t an acceptable course.
6 mins
Preface to the Communist Manifesto
‘Communist Manifesto’, released by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was for the first time translated and published in Tamil by Thanthai Periyar in ‘Kudi Arasu’ serially from 4th October 1931 to 2nd November 1931. Afterwards Periyar commenced his International tour on 13th December 1931 and returned on 8th November 1932. He visited various European, Asian and African countries. Of them his stay in Soviet Russia was from 14th February 1932 to 19th May 1932. While he was in Soviet Russia, he attended the May Day celebration as State Guest and witnessed Moscow March on 1st May 1932. While publishing the Tamil version of the Communist Manifesto Periyar wrote a Preface to it in Kudi Arasu. The English version of the preface is as follows:
3 mins
Interpretation which impede a just social order
On May 5, the Supreme Court of India declared as unconstitutional a Maharashtra law which provided for reservation to the Maratha community in education and public employment in the State. Four judges of the five-judge Bench wrote separate opinions, from which three primary findings emanated.
6 mins
Firm in unbelief
Bhagat Singh’s well-argued essays are evidence of his maturity
4 mins
EXEMPLARY DRAVIDAM MODEL
In common parlance the term ‘Dravidam’ is associated with racial cum ethnical identity. The meaning of ‘Dravidam’ does not end with this historical fact. The meaning gets manifested more than that and is applicable to the whole of humankind. ‘Dravidam’ is not a dominating or suppressing identity. It is the glorification of humankind with humanistic adherence for peace and prosperity.
8 mins
Corona Control - Surge of Superstition
All efforts are put in to combat the spread of second wave of corona pandemic. On one side all the constructive initiatives including the medical and other scientifically proven endeavours are being undertaken from the government side both the Centre and the States. On the other side, the mindset of the common people is not tuned to arrest the spread effectively. The public has to adhere to minimum efforts of wearing face masks, keeping safe distance with others and restricting the mobility and accessing public places unless it warrants. If not, the government has to announce a strict lockdown by which the economic activities would be affected that would lead to consequential effects on the livelihood.
2 mins
Caste System
My dear protectors of castes and caste enthusiasts - through my editorial in the ‘Kudi Arasu’ issue of 16.10.1930, I had made it clear that the castes classified long ago into four grades later multiplied into 4000 castes because of one caste mingling again and again with another caste. Quoting from the caste-related evidence of Brahmins, we had also specified that all such multiplied castes are called the ‘panchamas’. And yet some of our people who call themselves ‘velalars’ (agriculturists) assume identity as ‘Sarsudhras’, though they agree with the four grade classification as Brahmins, kshatriyas, vysyas and sudras.
5 mins
The Return Of Upper-Caste Politics
Rise of Hindutva has enabled a counter-revolution against Mandal’s gains
5 mins
Language Policy lessons
Anna’s argument was that the official language should be equidistant to all in a multilingual society.
5 mins
Ram Vilas Paswan - Everlasting Memories
Ram Vilas Paswan was a precious gift by Bihar to the cause of social justice.
7 mins
State Governor ridiculing the CM for being Secular!
The Constitution of India is the governing code of our country. The Preamble of it is the concised revelation of the basic structure of the Constitution that cannot be changed on any count.
4 mins
Recurring controversy about Governor's role in State politics
The negative image of the State governors as above all “an agent of the Centre” has proved difficult to erase.
6 mins
Mangu Ram - Social Justice Stalwart of Punjab
The beginning of the 20 th century witnessed a series of political developments which inter alia led to the formation of Adi movements in different parts of colonial India.
10 mins
NEET - Depriving the Prospective Doctors
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) that was unilaterally imposed by the Central government in the admission process to the medical courses throughout the country, has not achieved anything tangible but the journey continues in reverse gear.
4 mins
Caste Census of India - A 'shuttle' amidst the pillars of Democracy
The constitutional rights of the oppressed people (SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities) of the country have become a ‘shuttle’ among the ruling representatives of legislatures, the executive and the judiciary.
2 mins
'Stigma as Sudras'
On July 27, 1969, Thanthai Periyar headed a rationalist conference at Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The central idea of his speech was that we would continue to be degraded as ‘Sudras’ as long as fanatics blame our people for making the idols in temples impure by our touch. The content of this speech is in brief as follows:
7 mins
'NEET' - Unconstitutional
Two Notifications were issued; one in December 2010 and another in 2012, by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Dental Council of India (DCI), whereby NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) was made mandatory for admission to all medical courses.
7 mins
'Caste: The Lies that Divide Us' review: Casting a long shadow
With devastating evidence, some from her own life, Isabel Wilkerson links the race-based caste pyramid of America to two other powerful systems, that of Nazi Germany and India.
3 mins
Unscientific Lessons Unwarranted Exams
University Grants Commission, the apex custodian of education in India, recently sent circulars to all our Universities to conduct exams on a bizarre set of lessons related to ‘Cow-Science’, coined by it. The lessons meant for this strange exam are absolutely unscientific and also against Section 51A (h) of our Constitution which insists on development of scientific temper among our citizens.
3 mins
Hindu Nation. Caste and Communists
Hindu Nation concept is, according to their admission and proclamations is age old and is based basically on the Chaturvarnya model. (hierarchical fourfold division of society).
6 mins
Incorrigible Barbarians!
The list of superstitious nuts appears to be endless in our country. Time and again news pour from every nook and corner about crazy people who behave in a bizarre manner believing in senseless concepts and beliefs.
3 mins
CENTRE ENCROACHES STATE SOCIAL JUSTICE POLICY
Indian Constitution stipulates reservation in education for oppresses, based on social, educational backwardness. Through financial assistance to students Centre enroaches on state Reservation Policy
3 mins
How Brahmins Enslaved The South Indians?
The Brahman in his pride of intellectual superiority, residing largely in the domain of religion, was determined to maintain his privileged position against the mass of animistic belief which he found when he entered the plains of South India.
8 mins
Need For Political Power For Depressed Classes
The following is the text of the presentation, made by Babasaheb Dr. B.R.Ambedkar in the 5th sitting of the plenary session of the Round Table Conference held on 20th November 1930 in London
8 mins
SAFFRON RULE SABOTAGES SOCIAL JUSTICE TO THE DEPRIVED!
The importance and justification of equality of humans and equal opportunities to all were felt and practised starting from the British rule in the form of Communal G.O.
4 mins
Rights and Responsibilities
In the issue of ‘Kudi Arasu’ dated 19th February 1949, the editorial penned by Thanthai Periyar made it crystal clear that rights and responsibilities are inseparable. Unless a man is made aware of his rights, one cannot expect him to realise his responsibilities. The content of the editorial is as follows:
6 mins
Religious Freedom and Temple Wealth
Secularism and religious freedom mean different things to different people. True secular nations don’t have a state religion.
6 mins
The Modern Rationalist Magazine Description:
Publisher: PSRPI
Category: Lifestyle
Language: English
Frequency: Monthly
The Modern Rationalist Magazine contains articles on current issues. The Modern Rationalist Magazine also features articles on rationalist, humanist, feminist and atheist news
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