Indian Rationalist Association
Encyclopedia
Indian Rationalist Association is a voluntary organisation in India whose 100,000 members promote scientific skepticism
and critique supernatural claims. It publishes books and magazines, organises seminars and lectures and its representatives regularly appear in TV and print media exposing superstitions. The Indian Rationalist Association was founded in 1949 at Chennai
(then Madras). The founding president was Dr R.P. Paranjpye (later High Commissioner
of India in Australia
and vice-chancellor of Bombay University). Sanal Edamaruku
, well-known broadcaster and author, is its president.
The Indian Rationalist Association has branches in different states of India, with the headquarters of the association located in New Delhi
. The Indian Rationalist Association took the initiative to form the Rationalist International
in 1995 and organised three International Rationalist Conferences in co-operation with it.
The Australian writer Greg Egan
has used the Indian Rationalist Association in his novel Teranesia
.
, claims of miraculous milk-drinking statues, superstitions related to solar eclipses, and even the beliefs behind ritual human sacrifices.
Sometimes referred to as "guru busters," the group critiques India's culturally influential godmen. Performing magic demonstrations that replicate the purportedly miraculous feats of the godmen, such as walking on coals, producing sacred ash from thin air, exploding stones with "mental power," levitating, or turning water into blood. Thousands of volunteers assist with these demonstrations throughout India.
Similarly, the Indian Rationalist Association demonstrate on television how ordinary statues can appear to drink milk and other fluids.
Working with the Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association
, the Indian Rationalist Association opposed a 2009 proposal to make yoga a compulsory subject for high school and primary school students in Mangalore.
Scientific skepticism
Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence or reproducibility, as part of a methodological norm pursuing "the extension of certified knowledge". For example, Robert K...
and critique supernatural claims. It publishes books and magazines, organises seminars and lectures and its representatives regularly appear in TV and print media exposing superstitions. The Indian Rationalist Association was founded in 1949 at Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
(then Madras). The founding president was Dr R.P. Paranjpye (later High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
of India in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and vice-chancellor of Bombay University). Sanal Edamaruku
Sanal Edamaruku
Sanal Joseph Edamaruku is the founder-president of Rationalist International. He is also the president of the Indian Rationalist Association. He is the editor of the internet publication Rationalist International, author of 25 books and numerous articles....
, well-known broadcaster and author, is its president.
The Indian Rationalist Association has branches in different states of India, with the headquarters of the association located in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. The Indian Rationalist Association took the initiative to form the Rationalist International
Rationalist International
Rationalist International is an organization with the stated aim to represent a rational view of the world, making the voice of reason heard and considered where public opinion is formed and decisions are made.- Rationalism :...
in 1995 and organised three International Rationalist Conferences in co-operation with it.
The Australian writer Greg Egan
Greg Egan
Greg Egan is an Australian science fiction author.Egan published his first work in 1983. He specialises in hard science fiction stories with mathematical and quantum ontology themes, including the nature of consciousness...
has used the Indian Rationalist Association in his novel Teranesia
Teranesia
Teranesia is a 1999 science fiction novel by Greg Egan. The novel won the 2005 Ditmar Award for Best Novel but Egan declined to accept the award.-Plot summary:...
.
Activities
The Indian Rationalist Association attempts to oppose superstition and pseudoscience in India. It has led media and educational campaigns debunking the Monkey-man of Delhi monster hysteria, godmenGodman (Hindu ascetic)
A godman is a colloquial name for a particular type of charismatic guru who has a high-profile presence, is capable of attracting attention and support from Indian society, and makes claims of spiritual attainments...
, claims of miraculous milk-drinking statues, superstitions related to solar eclipses, and even the beliefs behind ritual human sacrifices.
Sometimes referred to as "guru busters," the group critiques India's culturally influential godmen. Performing magic demonstrations that replicate the purportedly miraculous feats of the godmen, such as walking on coals, producing sacred ash from thin air, exploding stones with "mental power," levitating, or turning water into blood. Thousands of volunteers assist with these demonstrations throughout India.
Similarly, the Indian Rationalist Association demonstrate on television how ordinary statues can appear to drink milk and other fluids.
Working with the Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association
Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association
Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association is a well known rationalist group based in Mangalore, Karnataka which promotes skepticism. It was formed in 1976 at the initiative of a few individuals led by Dr. Narendra Nayak...
, the Indian Rationalist Association opposed a 2009 proposal to make yoga a compulsory subject for high school and primary school students in Mangalore.