The Case For Reason: Volume One: Understanding The Anti-Superstition Movement

The Case for Reason #1

by Narendra Dabholkar, Suman Oak (Translator)

Originally published in Marathi as Timiratuni Tejakade, rationalist and activist Dr Narendra Dabholkar’s magnum opus, The Case for Reason is both a vision document for, and a chronicle of, the battle that he and his co-activists waged against obscurantism, superstition, pseudo-sciences and blind faith in the scriptures.

In Dabholkar’s view, it is the constitutional duty of every Indian citizen to develop a scientific temper, and the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti’s (ANiS) campaigns have made this the central argument of their work. A few days after Dabholkar was shot dead by religious extremists in 2013, the Maharashtra government issued an anti-superstition ordinance that was in essence a tribute to Dabholkar’s life-long struggle.

The Case for Reason is available in two volumes, the first of which—Understanding the Anti-superstition Movement—lays out the theoretical framework of the rationalist movement and also highlights the many practical battles that ANiS fought in a bid to insert rationalism in the public discourse. In this volume, Dabholkar discusses the concept of god and the role of religion, the importance of the scientific method and scientific outlook, and points in the direction of independent thinking and resolute action.

Argumentative and illuminating, this book is a guide to the thinking of one of India’s most independent, important voices—available for the first time in an English translation.

Genres: India, Nonfiction

326 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2018

About the author

Narendra Achyut Dabholkar (1 November 1945 – 20 August 2013) was an Indian rationalist and author from Maharashtra. He was the founder-president of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), an organization set up to eradicate superstition in 1989. Triggered by his murder on 20 August 2013, the pending Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Ordinance was promulgated in the state of Maharashtra, four days later.

Dabholkar was born on 1 November 1945 to Achyut and Tarabai, being the youngest of ten siblings, the eldest was the late educationalist, Gandhian and socialist Devdatta Dabholkar. He did his schooling at New English School Satara and Willingdon College, Sangli. He was a qualified medical doctor, having obtained an MBBS degree from the Government Medical College, Miraj.

He was the captain of the Shivaji University Kabaddi team. He had represented India against Bangladesh in a Kabaddi tournament. He won the Maharashtra government's Shiv Chhatrapati Yuva Award for Kabaddi.

He was married to Shaila and has two children, Hamid and Mukta Dabholkar. His son was named after the social reformer Hamid Dalwai. He didn't believe in Vastu Shastra and built his house without any regards to the principles of Vastu Shastra. He also criticised extravagant marriage ceremonies and arranged for his own children to be married in simple ceremonies. The almanac was not consulted to select an auspicious time as it is traditionally done. Dabholkar was also an atheist.

Dabholkar had faced several threats and assaults since 1983 but had rejected police protection.
“If I have to take police protection in my own country from my own people, then there is something wrong with me, I'm fighting within the framework of the Indian constitution and it is not against anyone, but for everyone.”
— Dabholkar on rejecting police protection

Murdered on 20 August 2013, while out on a morning walk, Dabholkar was shot down by two unidentified gunmen near Omkareshwar temple, Pune at 7:20 AM IST. The assailants fired four rounds at him from a point blank range and fled on a motorcycle parked nearby. Two bullets hit Dabholkar in his head and chest. He later succumbed to his injuries while being treated at Sassoon Hospital.

Dabholkar had originally donated his body to a medical college. But, the autopsy made necessary by his murder left the slain leader's body unfit for academic purposes. He was cremated in Satara without any religious rites. His pyre was lit by his daughter, Mukta, in contradiction to the tradition where the son lights the pyre. His ashes were collected without any religious ceremony and scattered over his organic farm.

Reviews

[Nandakishore Mridula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narendra Dabholkar was a rationalist from Maharashtra who did signal service for the eradication of superstition in his home state: the organisation he founded, the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (meaning the Committee for Eradication of Superstition), or ANiS in short, was in constant tussle with black magic and its practitioners, purveyors of pseudoscience such as astrology and vastushastra (the ancient Indian science of building), and self-styled God-men and -women. In a country where superstition is a way of life (and frequently being promoted by the government!), it would be an understatement to say that this is an uphill task: yet Dabholkar persisted, and ultimately, paid with his life as he was shot to death by unknown assailants on 20 August 2013, while out on a morning walk. The unravelling of the mystery behind this murder and those of other like-minded people point to a larger conspiracy behind the scenes, but that's another story.

This book is Dabholkar's first-hand account of his uncompromising fight with the forces of intellectual evil bent on keeping India in medieval darkness. It's a fascinating tale - especially the second part, where he describes the individual cases (the first part is a bit didactic and repetitive). As we read this, we can only marvel at how our intellectual space is contaminated by superstition disguised as ancient knowledge and pseudoscience masquerading as science. Truly, the maxim “against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain” is gospel(!) truth as far as India is concerned.

The first part is concerned about the “theoretical basis of anti-superstition movement” – that is, why it’s required. In it, he tackles (in this order):

1. Astrology
2. Vasthushastra
3. Various pseudosciences
4. Mental Illness misdiagnosed as ghostly possession
5. Extravagant claims about hypnotism
6. Black Magic
7. Playing God

I found this portion too long-winded and a bit boring, though I agree with all his opinions except his rather simplistic take on mental illness. He has decimated the “science” of astrology and (my personal bugbear!), vasthushastra, which makes a mockery of architectural and civil engineering. And the less said about black magic and our so-called metaphysics-spouting gurus, and those charlatans who use cheap magic tricks to show their status as divine incarnations, the better.

The second part, detailing the individual cases, was really fascinating. And it is here that we come to know why Dabholkar became a marked man; for in his unrelenting struggle, he had to go against some powerful forces who wielded considerable clout with the powers that be. India, though officially secular, had never succeeded in getting the bogey of religion fully away from the corridors of power – and Dabholkar’s antagonists had the backing of some really powerful conservative forces. As he narrates in unemotional prose his run-ins with the extreme Hindu right-wing organisations like the Shiv Sena, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, we can hear the clock ticking away for him – though unfortunately he did not hear it, or if he did, paid no heed.

Dabholkar says:

The philosophy in this country was: Brahma is satya and jagat is maya, that is, the material world we see and experience every moment, the joy or grief that emanates from it, is all illusion and therefore worthless. This is deeply rooted in our social psyche. We were told that Brahma is our real being and existence, no clue about what this Brahma is. Aham brahmasmi became our guideline. The parabrahma of the universe—the universal soul or the soul that pervades the universe (whatever that means)—and the brahma and the soul in me are very closely related and their reunion means emancipation: the ultimate goal of life. No wonder, our thought process remained devoid of the scientific outlook.

This misplaced mysticism, in his opinion, resulted in our rejection of most modern science as “Western” imports and the extolling of our traditions, however despicable they may be, as superior.

Even six decades after independence, there is a ridiculous tendency to ridicule or condemn all that belongs to the West, exalting our own ancient traditions, proclaiming them as essential for eternal bliss. It is heatedly argued that science is not capable of bestowing tranquillity, and what is needed is spirituality. But this so-called spirituality has nothing to do with sublime humanism; it is a path of illogic, superstition and religious fanaticism.

Thus, the promotion of the scientific temper which is the responsibility of all Indians as per our constitution, has remained but a pipe dream. This has indirectly helped regressive forces to keep society in stasis, with misogyny and caste hierarchy still rampant. That is why Dabholkar was silenced – and that is why we need more such voices.

[S.Ach · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half of the book presents the case for rationalism against voodoo practices prevalent in India across religion. You would agree with most arguments against astrology, vastushastra, hypnotism, black magic, buvabaji, etc , even most could be common sensical if you already have a scientific bend of mind. The second half, where the author recounts his and his organization's long history of activism and fight against the superstitious practices and the practitioners, is really very interesting.
You would be but hugely impressed with the author and his mission, and would be wondering, all that he did making so many enemies, wouldn't it pose threat to his life…. Oh! Wait….

[Anil Swarup · Rating 3 out of 5]

"All notions of god and all the gods we know are a product of man's brain". The book builds on this hypothesis as the author claims that "the concept of god was born out of the mindset of intellectual experimentation". Dabholkar goes on to assert that "one cannot prove god's existence using rational arguments. The truth is that we want god to exist". However, the author overlooks the fact that those who believe in God, believe in him out of faith and perhaps not on account of a rational argument. There is however no doubt about his statement that "moral values can be upheld in society without god or religious rituals". Author's assertion that "almost every religion has indulged in many an immoral and cruel act" is also correct.
One may not agree with all that has been written in the book but it does make for an interesting read.

[Prabodh Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents an interesting contrast to "Myths to Live by" (Jospeh Campbell). In that book, Campbell talks about the importance of myths and how they have helped human societies survive over thousands of years. Now all myths are superstitions and a rational mind has no need for them. Yet, there is a fear of the unknown which myths help in overcoming more easily than rationality does. Keeping "fingers crossed" before an anticipated result or doing "touchwood" to avoid "jinx" are examples of some innocent acts which rids one of that queasy feeling in the stomach, and that's essentially the way we have coped up over so many years. Yet, belief has many levels and perhaps rationalists indulging in such myths are aware that such belief is meaningless except that it serves a simple purpose of "easing the stomach from queasy feeling" and nothing else.

Thus the rationalist indulgance in myths becomes an act of knowledgeable choice, but that is an advanced stage. Majority of people in the world are trapped in "mental slavery" which doesn't leave scope of "belief by choice". They need to be freed first from the entrapments of god men, ghosts, black magic and religious dogmatism before they are in a position of choice. Mental slavery is an easy tool for sexual, monetary and moral exploitation and it's sad so many people keep becoming its victims. I am astonished to see how many people even today believe in some sort of "guru", revere ancient traditions and rituals even at the cost of huge time and money and then they can be motivated to kill for religion (which is essentially the biggest myth of all times).

This book brings all this in perspective. It also shows that the opposition to rationality is basically from politicians and god men, who are the masters of mental slaves. The ordinary people are perhaps all too relieved to get rid of them. Vested interests are also apparent as the murderers of Dabholkar, Pansare, Gauri Lankesh, Kalburgi are all on loose even after years. The change has to come from the bottom up and the fight against myths have to be continued, till belief becomes a choice.

[Kaushik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me lose faith in humanity because I did not know people believed such dumb shit. Lost even more faith when I found that he was killed for opposing utterly pseudo-scientific and empty rituals.

But I am thankful he fought the fight he did. Even if a dozen people stopped believing this nonsense because of him, he has done a great service upon our nation.

[Alok · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was an Indian physician, social activist, rationalist and author from Maharashtra, India. In this first volume of his 2-volume magnum opus, he focusses on his work through the society he ran, Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANiS), particularly related to superstitions such as black magic, etc.

A staunch rationalist in his outlook, who swore by the fundamental duty to promote scientific outlook as enshrined in the Indian constitution, he explains the prevalent malpractices mostly in rural Maharashtra and his tireless efforts to challenge them and educate people of the same.

What I liked about his approach is that his opposition and criticism was not shallow. Before going against something, Dr. Dabholkar appeared to have put in efforts to understand what it was, and then tested its core tenets in his own scientific barometer.

I can't say that I agreed with him on all his reasonings or the thought-process he undertook to reach the inferences, particularly on the relevance/importance of faith and spirituality, but there is no doubt in my mind that he would have been a phenomenally interesting individual to discuss such complex yet interesting topics over a cup of tea.

The book is neatly divided into small chapters each dealing with a particular theme, and makes for a lucid read.

[Vivek Gaurav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narendra Dabholkar needs no introduction when it comes to socio-religious reform. The book is true reflection of his lifelong work.

The Case For Reason is divided into two parts; first, theoretical aspect of fighting superstition and developing scientific outlook and the second is practical work done by the author and his organisation. While first part really broadens the intellectual horizon of the reader, enriching our understanding of what, why and how of scientific outlook as a necessary tool for growth and progress. The second part provokes the activist inside us through the examples of their chivalry and commitment in fight against superstition, bogus miracles, godmen culture etc, altogether facing various challenges in terms of fear for their life and mental peace.

The book is a modern treatise for reform movement ongoing in India as a legacy from the work of Raja rammohan Roy, Jyotiba phule and babasaheb ambedkar etc. This reminds us of the larger goal of society to free itself from the shackles of past to achieve the goal of being democratic secular and egalitarian. Really recommendable for anyone even slightly interested in social studies.

[Agam Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has two parts. In first section, author discusses the theoretical aspects of scientific outlook and fallacies of superstition.
In second part, he penned down his experiences and difficulties he faced in fighting superstition.
There is no doubt that author was a brave man and had done amazing work. This book is more about his experiences than anything else.
I felt that his rational outlook needs to be understand with due care and caution. We live in a society where public sentiments also matters and have the capacity to convert into law and order problem.
Also, his first section talks about the basics and initial couple of chapters are the stuff which we read in school.
The person though deserves huge appreciation and his samiti shall carry forward the task from where he unfortunately left.

[Dominic Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy read and blows the cover off so many myths !!!

[Shyamal Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book,well written,nice anecdotes and a must read to broaden one’s view horizon

[Anoop Shetty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Part 2 is more interesting. Opens a new unexplored window of scientific outlook.