Amidst Countrywide Religious Polarisation, Hundreds Unite in Kolkata to Champion Rationalism
Kolkata: In a climate of escalating religious polarisation across India, a counter-movement is gaining ground in West Bengal, where hundreds are uniting under the banner of atheism to champion rationalism, scientific temper, and constitutional rights.
On November 5, approximately 500 people from diverse walks of life, who describe themselves as atheists and rationalists, gathered in Kolkata for a conference, marking a significant consolidation of non-religious thought in the state.
This assembly was organised by the Atheist Forum, a platform launched in Nabadwip (incidentally, the birthplace of Gaudiya Vaishnavism-founder Chaitanya) that is now establishing a regional presence in six additional districts, with thousands across the state reportedly embracing the atheist worldview.
At poster showing Gauri Lankesh, Narendra Dabholkar, M.M. Kalburgi, and Govind Pansare – voices who were murdered for rationalism – at the Atheist Forum's conference. Photo: Joydeep Sarkar/The Wire.
“Support for atheism is growing daily,” said Pratap Chandra Das, the Forum’s central secretary. “The fates of people like Gauri Lankesh, Narendra Dabholkar, M.M. Kalburgi, and Govind Pansare have made young people question religious authority. We knew the task was tough, but fear and despair won’t help.”
The Forum aims to promote scientific temper, challenge superstition, and assert that atheism and non-religion are constitutional rights. “Don’t believe – verify; don’t fear – explore,” proclaimed the gathering, signalling its core philosophy.
Speakers at the Atheist Forum's conference. Photo: Joydeep Sarkar/The Wire.
The conference drew a diverse crowd, ranging from staunch atheists to skeptics. Speakers included students, teachers, professionals, and homemakers. Many shared stories of turning away from religious orthodoxy.
Sumita Basu, a homemaker, said, “I’m not comfortable with the current social atmosphere – it doesn’t align with my thinking. That’s why I came here after hearing about the movement. Being an atheist doesn’t mean disrespecting any religion. It’s about being open-minded and free-thinking.”
“The ideas of people like Derozio, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Raja Rammohan Roy, and Jagadish Chandra Bose are being erased from school curricula. Religious content is replacing the lessons of Bengal’s renaissance. Children are being deprived of scientific temper and environmental awareness,” shared another women in attendance who identified herself as Mousumi.
A poster at the Atheist Forum's conference, quoting Ibn Sina saying, 'What did the creator do before creating the universe?'. Photo: Joydeep Sarkar/The Wire.
The atheist movement, which began with a mass rally in Nabadwip, has since held district conferences in Krishnanagar (Nadia) and Barasat (North 24 Parganas). The Kolkata event established the city’s first district committee and launched a membership drive.
“Religion is now being used to suppress all burning issues and legitimate demands, hence the growing importance of atheism,” explained economist Subhendu Dasgupta, one of the main organisers of the conference.
According to the 2011 Census, about 2.9 million Indians (0.24%) reported having “no religion.” A 2022 Gallup International survey found that 18% of Indians identified as non-believers, roughly 200 million people.
Translated from the Bengali original and with inputs by Aparna Bhattacharya.
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