Hindu rightwing groups tend to portray rationalism as a western concept which is alien to Indian ethos and way of life.
But a look at India’s deep rooted philosophical tradition reveals that there has been a vibrant spirit of rationalist throughout.
How has the rationalist tradition shaped up in India?
It is believed that faith rules in India and that the number of Indians who didn’t state their religion was only 3 million in the 2011 census.
Nonetheless, this is a massive increase from the 2001 census where just about 700,000 had not declared a religion.
Ancient India:
Rationalists and sceptics who held out for scientific ideas have been a part of the Indian tradition since at least the 6th century BC.
“Ajita Kesakambalin”, a contemporary of the Buddha, was the earliest known teacher of complete materialism (stripped of any spiritual pursuit in life).
The “Charvakas Philosophical Tradition”, is largely a product of his thinking that prioritised empiricism and scepticism over Vedic ritualism.
The original texts of the Charvakas have not survived, but references to their rationalist tradition are found in Buddhist and Jain works.
The Buddha himself cautioned against accepting “what has been acquired by repeated hearing”, and encouraged independent study and thinking.
Even within the wider Brahminical tradition, shades of opinion prevailed between the Brahmanas and the Shramanas, and active debate prevailed.
Notably, even in Chhandogya Upanishad, one Uddalaka Aruni speaks of the importance observing the surrounding rather than being superstitious.
Modern Times:
In the early modern period in Bengal, Raja Ram Mohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj led the charge against regressive tradition.
The regions of present day Maharashtra has a long history of radical thought that challenged several ideas embedded in the caste hierarchies.
It was here that Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism, and the Republican parties carry forward his legacy in their own ways.
Jyotiba Phule and Savitri Phule rejected caste and gender inequalities.
The first recorded reservation in educational institutes for backward castes was in Maharashtra by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur (1894-1922).
Narayana Guru in Kerala and E V Ramasamy (Periyar) in Tamil Nadu were early advocates of progress, and their ideas impacted politics deeply.
The Self-Respect movement in Tamil Nadu and the Leftist movement in Kerala and West Bengal made a strong case for rationalism and egalitarianism.
What is the way ahead?
Article 51A (H) of the Constitution of India gives a call “to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform”.
The leaders of the national movement hoped that the lofty ideals of the emerging Indian state would encourage a modern and progressive outlook.
Rationalism would also help in undoing the feudal setup that has been in place since long and put us strongly on a path towards social and economic equality.
In this context, it is important for the state to ensure that vested interests don’t succeed in stifling the voices of progressivism.
