Former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S Oka criticised political leaders for “appeasing religions” and failing to support scientific temper. He warned that rational thinkers are being targeted, and constitutional duties under Article 51A(h) are being ignored.
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S Oka recently expressed serious concern about the growing neglect of scientific thinking in India. He said that although the Constitution clearly asks every citizen to develop scientific temper, the country still struggles because the political class continues to “appease religions” and people who speak against superstitions are attacked instead of supported.
Justice Oka explained that superstition affects society, the environment and even people’s fundamental rights. According to him, when someone speaks with rationality or questions blind beliefs, they are often wrongly labelled as anti-religion.
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He said,
“The political class, irrespective of parties, which rule us, believe in appeasing religions. And therefore, this class is completely unwilling to promote reforms.”
He made these remarks in New Delhi while delivering the 16th VM Tarkunde Memorial Lecture at the India International Centre.
Justice Oka focused on the importance of Article 51A(h) of the Constitution, which makes it a fundamental duty for every citizen to develop scientific temper. He clarified that promoting scientific temper does not interfere with religious freedom.
As he stated,
“When you fight superstitions in religions or religious practices, you do not fight against the religion. You actually help the cause of religion.”
Justice Oka further added that blind beliefs are present among all communities and should never be confused with genuine religious faith.
He said,
“There are several instances of superstitions. Lack of scientific temper is not confined to only one religion.”
He then spoke about the environmental damage caused during large religious gatherings, festivals and rituals. He pointed out that advanced technology is often used to create pollution, but that does not show scientific thinking.
He referred to the massive pollution caused during the Kumbh Mela and asked whether rivers could still be called holy after being polluted. He also mentioned a recent news report that hundreds of decades-old trees may be cut down for the next Kumbh Mela in Nashik.
According to him, actions carried out in the name of religion cannot be allowed to violate constitutional rights or environmental duties.
Justice Oka spoke about the work and struggles of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar, who used experiments to show that superstitions have no scientific basis. He noted that instead of supporting Dabholkar’s efforts, society targeted him.
Justice Oka said,
“Many of us know how life of Dr Dabholkar ended. And why this happened? Because he performed his fundamental duty under the Constitution of imploring citizens to develop a scientific temper.”
He added that when individual citizens fail to fulfil their constitutional duty, especially in areas like environmental protection and public health, the State has a collective responsibility to step in. He said the lack of encouragement for scientific temper clearly shows a gap in governance.
Justice Oka observed that although India has built world-class scientific institutions, this alone does not meet the constitutional duty.
He emphasised that scientific thinking must reach schools and colleges across the country. He also raised concern that students are not taught about fundamental duties at all.
According to him, the Constitution speaks of real progress and not just the “present idea of development”. He stressed that scientific temper is at the heart of genuine progress.
In the final part of his speech, Justice Oka reflected on the legacy of Justice VM Tarkunde. He said that simply remembering great humanists is not enough.
He reminded the audience,
“Only remembering Justice Tarkunde is not enough. We must carry forward the mission of these great humanists.”
Justice Oka concluded that humanism, scientific temper and social reform are deeply connected, and the Constitution expects all three to work together for a better society.
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