Press Release

Bihar Rationalist Society organized a seminar on "Why and How to Oppose Brahminism" on 25th May, 2003, at Buddhiwadi Seminar Hall, S. K. Puri, Patna.

Dr. Ramendra, HoD, Department of Philosophy, Patna College and Founder of BRS introduced the subject. He emphasized that Brahminism needed to be opposed because it is an anti- rational, unjust and undemocratic system, which treats someone as "superior" and someone as "inferior" merely on the basis of birth in a particular caste or sex. Describing Brahminism as a major source of superstitions in Indian society, Dr. Ramendra stressed the need to evolve and adopt an alternative humanist culture based on logical- scientific thinking and democratic values of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Dr. Kawaljeet, President of the BRS, said that traditionally Brahminism has allowed only males of brahmin castes to become priests. Brahminism denied education to women as well as to backward and dalit castes. She clarified that opposing Brahminism did not mean opposing all persons born in the brahmin caste. It meant opposing the Brahminist ideology and social system. According to Dr. Kawaljeet, Brahminism could not have survived for so long without the support of the non-brahmin castes.

Raghunath Singh Yadav of Arjak Sangh advocated the need for adopting humanist ideas and actually putting them into practice. He stressed the need for organizing humanist marriages and funerals as an alternative to Brahminism.

Dr. Ramashankar Arya, Professor of Philosophy in Patna University, Awadh Bihari Singh of Kabir Lohia Vichar Manch, Jagat Bhushan of Viveksheel Samaj, Buddh Sharan Hans of Ambedkar Mission , Jitendra Verma of the BRS and Rajniti Prasad, among others, expressed their views in the seminar. All the speakers were unanimous regarding the need to oppose Brahminism

Dr. Kiran Nath, former President of the BRS, thanked the participants and expressed the hope that the deliberations in the seminar will lead to concrete actions against Brahminism.

Dr. Kawaljeet

President

Bihar Rationalist Society