Rationalists stress need for ‘critical thinking’ in democratic, post-modern life

Hassan: “Critical thinking should be cultivated as the first step in the development of scientific attitude and this is also the first step in strengthening democracy,” Prof. Narendra Nayak, National President of the All India Rationalists’ Union – Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS) – has said.

He was speaking at the Scientific Attitude and Democracy symposium organized recently as part of the BGVS Hassan Taluk conference in the city.

Narendra Nayak, who explained his viewpoint by citing the Supreme Court’s recent reprimand over the Covid-19 vaccines, said that a trend has recently emerged wherein, systematically, the development of critical thinking among the people and students, is being stymied.  

He said that Baba Ramdev recently claimed that cow urine has medicinal properties and that even if his hands were “stiff due to mobile radiation”, negative energy would not be generated in case of cow urine application.

“Claims such as use of Tulsi leaves for wellbeing are working against the spirit of science and discrimination.  Educational institutions and teachers, who are supposed to impart critical thinking constitutionally, are making people sing bhajans or performing “Saraswati puja” on Fridays. How can a Saraswati puja during exams or chanting of mantras before meals resonate with science,” he questioned.

“Most teachers have a reactionary thinking problem, and this is a matter of serious concern. How can scientific thinking be spread through such people?,” he wondered.  

In the introductory speech at the symposium, BGVS District Vice President Mamata Shivu said that the aim of the Indian Constitution was to create a society without inequalities.

“The chosen path for that is democracy, but that democracy has been entangled in the noose of Indian capitalism and classism, and thus made unstable. To take India’s democracy on the path of socialism, and scientific intelligence, an ideological vision needs to be instilled in the hearts of the people. In this regard, BGVS is continuously organizing scientific activities, wherein renowned thinkers such as Prof Nayak are regularly asked to speak,” he said.   

He said that a “science walk” has been organized for the entire month under the leadership of Dr Nayak to instill scientific temper among the people.

Chief guest of the programme and Green Land Foundation President C.B. Venkate Gowda said that harmony and pluralism were the nerve current of India and these can be strengthened only through democracy, for which a scientific attitude was imperative.

BGVS District President Gururaju and District Secretary Ahmed Hagare were present in the programme.

BGVS Taluk Secretary B.S. Vanajakshi welcomed the gathering and Vice President Chinnenahalli Swamy proposed the vote of thanks.

Pramila and Monica sang the BGVS anthem on the occasion.

In the representative session held later, a new committee of the BGVS Hassan Taluk was formed, with Nittur Medical Officer Dr. Manjunath as president, science teacher B.K. Lolakshi as secretary, and a mathematics teacher from Attavar School as treasurer.

Teacher Asha was elected as the vice president, social activist C.P. Nagesh and teacher Shekhar as co-operative directors, teacher Pushpa and artist Suresh Atni as members of the executive committee and lawyer Lakshmish, social activists Preeti Tyagi, Sharada and Harish as members of the executive committee.