Report on the workshop: The Future of A Rational Society – We and the Anti- Superstition Legislation
University Law College,Bangalore organized a workshop on Karnataka Anti Superstition Bill, 2013 on 14th Sept 2015. Dr Chandrashekhar Patil( CHAMPA), renowned Kannada Poet and rationalist, was the main guest during the event. Mr H S Jayakumar, Joint Secretary, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Karnataka was the other guest. Prof. Dr. Suresh V Nadagoudar, Dean and Principal of the college presided over the event. Dr. N Satish Gowda, assistant professor and other faculty members were also present.
Dr Chandrashekar Patil, remembering his 55 years long association with Dr M M Kalburgi, expressed his grief that Kalburgi was a very vocal and bold man. He stressed that freedom of speech is under great threat due to the raise in fundamentalist forces in the society. He highlighted that a “Rationalistic People’s Movement” is on the verge of taking birth in our State and would spread across the nation. He also urged the Students that there is a desperate need for starting a movement in support of the Bill.
Mr. Jaykumar explained the various provisions of the Bill in detail and regretted that spread of false information about the Bill among the people. He specified that the Bill targets only the extreme acts causing grave harm to the people and not the ordinary beliefs of everyday life.
Prof. Dr. Nadagoudar said that the poor and the illiterate are the worst affected by superstitions prevalent in the society. He went on to say that the passing of the Bill will strengthen the movement against superstitions. He also stressed on the point that Law Students should be at the forefront of such debates in the society.
Dr. Satish Gowda stressed that implementation of laws is as important as the enactment of new laws.
A meaningful interactive session among all those present took place. The programme was coordinated by the students of University Law College.