CHARVAKA

Rationalism. Secularism. Freedom

Rationalist Movement

  • Deepti weds Sandesh

    NARENDRA NAYAK

    The union of Deepti and Sandesh triumphed over deep-rooted caste prejudice, intense family opposition, and threats from right-wing vigilantes. Since Karnataka does not recognize self-respect marriages for formal legal registration, this ceremony served as a necessary symbolic ritual—organized with rationalist support—to secure official protection and registration for the brave couple.

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    Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA) – 8th National Conference

    CHARVAKA DESK

    The 8th National Conference of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA) will be held at Nagpur, Maharashtra, on 11th and 12th February 2012. FIRA, an apex body of more than 75 rationalist, atheist, skeptic, secularist, and science organizations in India, is committed to the development of scientific temper and humanism in India. The Federation…

  • Consolidating Rationalism Across India

    NARENDRA NAYAK

    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…

  • Premanand in Abhirami Hospital, Coimbatore

    NARENDRA NAYAK

    This document records a visit to pioneering rationalist B. Premanand at Abhirami Hospital, Coimbatore, during his terminal illness. Facing false deathbed conversion rumours spread by religious reactionaries, Premanand formally signed a legal declaration reaffirming his lifelong rationalist conviction, rejection of supernaturalism, and pledge to donate his body to science.

  • Premanand in Mangalore

    NARENDRA NAYAK

    Pioneer rationalist B. Premanand’s 2009 visit to Mangalore despite severe health struggles with cancer. The piece highlights his interactions at Canara College, his critiques of commercial yoga, rebirth claims, and religious exploitation, while showcasing his lifelong, defiant rejection of astrological predictions through his octogenarian survival.

  • One Million Rupees to Predict Election Results!

    NARENDRA NAYAK

    This official handout from the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations details a one-million-rupee challenge for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Aimed at astrologers and claimants of supernatural powers, the competition required participants to accurately answer twenty-five specific election outcomes with at least eighty percent accuracy to earn the reward money.

  • Inauguration of the Museum on Method of Science

    CHARVAKA DESK

    Press release announcing the inauguration of B. Premanand’s Museum on the Method of Science in Podanur. Despite facing terminal cancer, financial setbacks, and historical sabotage of the exhibition materials by political and religious vested interests, Premanand successfully revived the 19-panel educational project to foster scientific temper among the public.

  • An Interview with B. Premanand

    NARENDRA NAYAK

    Conducted in Podanur in January 2009, this candid interview captures pioneer rationalist B. Premanand reflecting on his terminal cancer, the Museum on the Method of Science, personal tragedies, movement infighting, organ donation, and pseudoscience within rationalist ranks. Premanand urges activists to focus on youth education, practice their principles, and uphold scientific temper.