Coming down heavily on the forces that spread hatred and division among the people in the name of religion, DMK MP Kanimozhi on Saturday said the time had come for the atheists and rationalists to join hands to create a society that upholds equality and self-respect.
Speaking at a public meeting organised as part of the World Atheists’ Conference by the Dravidar Kazhagam, Atheist Centre and The Rationalists’ Forum here, Ms. Kanimozhi said the world had witnessed several bloodbaths due to the evil forces that divided the people on the lines of religions and faiths. Many wars had been fought on this.
Recollecting the recent murders of rationalists such as M.M. Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and others, Ms. Kanimozhi said the incidents proved once again that the danger of shedding blood on religious lines was still lingering. The concerted efforts to protect people against the religious fanatics were yet to bring the expected results. Innocent people continued to shed blood due to religious fanatics.
While paying rich tributes to Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, Ms. Kanimozhi said he was a towering personality, who stood for the cause of gender equality, and self-respect, women’s right and untouchability. “It was due to the seeds sown by Periyar that people are leading a dignified life against the oppressive and right wing forces,” she said.
However, Ms. Kanimozhi said many self-styled godmen had continued to emerge in the country despite the presence of active rationalists. It was unfortunate that several educated youths had become the followers of ‘god men’ giving up their families. Rationalists should join hands to fight against divisive and oppressive forces.
Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal leader Thol. Thirumavalavan and others spoke.
