FIRA
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National Seminar on Secularisation of India
The Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations will organize a National Seminar on “Secularisation of India” on November 24, 2013, at Ambedkar Bhavan Hall, New Delhi. This will be followed by a Parliament March and Dharna at Jantar Mantar on November 25, 2013
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8th FIRA National Conferance – A Report
The 8th National Conference of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA) was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on February 11 and 12, 2012. FIRA comprises 83 rationalist organizations from across the country. The conference took place at the Hindi Bhawan Ram Gopal Maheshwari Subhagruha, Rani Jhansi Square, Sitabuldi, Nagpur. It was hosted by the Akhil…
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After the dust has settled
This statement by Narendra Nayak, President, Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, sharply critiques Sathya Sai Baba, alleging widespread fraud, financial corruption, media manipulation, and legal immunity despite severe misconduct. It calls for immediate government intervention to seize trust assets, eliminate elite trustees, and launch a full investigation before financial misdeeds are obscured, framing religious authority…
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The Bhagwan of Puttaparthi
This Critical Article Questions The Divine Claims Of Sathya Sai Baba During His Final Hospitalisation. It Exposes Alleged Miracles As Simple Sleight Of Hand Tricks, Highlights Financial Opacity, And Critiques Political Patronage. The Author Urges Government Intervention To Take Over Institutional Assets And Protect Public Funds From Misappropriation.
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Consolidating Rationalism Across India
This message from Narendra Nayak, President of FIRA, reviews extensive rationalist training tours across India, assessing how sensation-seeking media coverage was strategically leveraged to promote scientific temper. The author outlines ongoing efforts to consolidate regional rationalist networks in Odisha, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, while emphasizing the vital need to engage urban youth through platforms like…
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Building the Rationalist Movement in Bihar
This report chronicles the expansion of the rationalist movement in Bihar, stemming from efforts to counter politicians honoring tantriks. Following nationwide miracle-exposure workshops and district tours with Science for Society, activists convened at Patna University to form the Bihar Rationalist Forum, establishing specialized investigative panels and electing ad hoc leadership under FIRA affiliation.
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Those Who Ran Away
This article recounts various instances where self-proclaimed miracle workers, black magicians, and astrologers retreated when challenged to scientific testing. The author exposes how claimants rely on cold reading, local mob intimidation, or procedural delays to evade verification, reiterating FIRA’s standing monetary challenge to anyone who can demonstrate genuine supernatural powers.
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An Atheist in Periyar’s Land
This personal narrative recounts extensive rationalist lecture-demonstrations and miracle-exposure workshops across Tamil Nadu. Operating in the intellectual shadow of Periyar, the author describes countering religious fraudsters, enduring fundamentalist intimidation, exposing Nadi Jyothisham, and successfully engaging college students and public audiences to foster scientific temper despite media misrepresentation and threats.
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Expanding Rationalism Across Bihar, UP, and Beyond
This article highlights the rapid expansion of rationalist training networks in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and across North and East India. Collaborating with Science for Society, the movement conducts workshops to debunk superstitions, train youth, and cultivate scientific temper to counter pervasive fatalism, calling for introspection to sustain a larger national campaign.
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Yogi in Politics
This critique examines the rise of Baba Ramdev, dismantling his pseudoscientific health claims, unproven Ayurvedic concoctions, commercial hypocrisy, and labor controversies. The author exposes his political ambitions as a strategic bid to expand his commercial empire, evade financial scrutiny, and act as a remote-controlled kingmaker within right-wing political alignments.
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Basava Premanand – A Great Skeptic & Human Being
Honouring B. Premanand (1930–2009), the legendary leader of the Indian rationalist movement, this tribute and 2008 interview document his relentless crusade against spiritual fraud. From offering monetary challenges to expose pseudo-miracles to filing court petitions against prominent godmen, Premanand dedicated his life to scientific temper, critical thinking, and unyielding atheism.
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Testing the Paranormal: Rs.2 Lakh Election Challenge
Ahead of the Karnataka election results, Prof. Narendra Nayak challenges astrologers, palmists, and all forecasters claiming supernatural powers. Offering a ₹200,000 cash prize, the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations invites predictors to accurately forecast upcoming election outcomes, party seat counts, and candidate vote tallies under strict testing conditions.