How I feel as an Indian

by Dr Ramendra

 (originally published on sawaal.com)

 When I survey the national scene as an Indian, I see both positive and negative trends. I certainly feel worried about what I consider negative, but overall I am optimistic about the future of India. 

My perspective for analyzing and understanding things is humanistic; therefore, I naturally interpret India’s past and future from a rational humanist point of view. Twentieth century India has seen great humanist leaders and thinkers like Periyar, M.N. Roy, Ambedkar, Gora and Kovoor. There are several organizations and individuals, which have been working ceaselessly for promoting rationalism-humanism in the Indian society.  Undoubtedly, modern tendencies have been considerably strengthened. Still, it cannot be denied that even now religion continues to dominate Indian society and culture. At present Brahminism seems to be dominating the show. 

On the other hand, twentieth century has seen emergence of India as an independent, secular and democratic republic. This has been the biggest positive development in my opinion. The process of democratization has created awareness and greatly empowered the backward and dalit castes. Social and political power has started slipping out of the hands of Brahmin and other dwija castes. Attack on Brahminism and varna-vyavastha is getting increasingly sharper, both in the political and in the social sphere. I think communalism has become, at present, the last refuge of beleaguered Brahminism.

 What, one may ask, are the prospects for the twenty first century? 

 From a political point of view, I feel the urgent need for strengthening our secular democracy and accelerating the changes in the direction of a more egalitarian society. I strongly believe that any good government should work for eradicating poverty and illiteracy, while providing adequate medical care for citizens, particularly for the weaker sections of the society. Running away from these responsibilities and taking shelter behind the “market economy” is not going to help.

 From a philosophical point of view, it is important, I feel, to strengthen and establish rationalism-humanism as an alternative to the brahminical culture which breeds blind faith, supernaturalism and inequality. As an Indian and as a philosopher, I envisage a philosophical revolution on rationalist and humanist line for the twenty first century India. This alone, I believe, will create the right environment for attaining the political goal of strengthening and establishing a secular, democratic and egalitarian society.

 As I see it, a humanist philosophical revolution consists of both a positive and a negative aspect. Positively it consists of: one, upholding logical and scientific method of thinking; and two, supporting a rational, secular and human ethics based on basic human needs and desires. The negative aspect of the revolution consists of opposing all forms of blind faith and superstitions. Beliefs like God, soul, and life after death, rebirth, resurrection, karmawad and fatalism are being nurtured by different religions. These beliefs do not have any logical or scientific basis. They are accepted uncritically only because of blind faith in religious scriptures and religious leaders.  I strongly believe that these false beliefs are great hurdles in creating a better life and a better society. The sooner we get rid of this intellectual garbage the better.  We must take responsibility for our lives and we must concentrate on improving the one and only life we have in the one and only world.

 In my mind, philosophical revolution is, closely linked to social revolution. The values of liberty, equality and fraternity must not remain confined to the pages of the Indian constitution. These must be reflected in day-to-day life of Indian citizens. In the Indian context, destroying the caste system and establishing a casteless society should be a main aim of social revolution. We need to attack the caste system from all directions. In addition to providing reservations in the legislature, educational institutions and the government services including the judiciary, we need to encourage intercaste marriages by mutual consent.  Besides, we must carry on a sustained intellectual campaign against the varna-vyavastha, which provides the intellectual basis for the caste system.

 Media can play a very important role in bringing about a philosophical revolution. However, at times I get worried when I see how brahminical and capitalist interests are dominating sections of the media. The interest of these forces is masqueraded as the “national” interest, and the opinion of these forces is presented as the “public” opinion. Backward classes, dalits and minorities find little representation or voice. Nonetheless, as I mentioned in the very beginning of the article, though I feel worried by the negative trends, I am, overall, optimistic about the future of India. I believe that it is possible to create a secular, democratic and egalitarian India of my dreams on the basis of rational humanism. I also realize that I am not alone and this dream is shared by many of my fellow citizens.