Controversy Skeletons in Rationalists’ Cupboard

BY George Plathottam sdb

few days ago a journalist There obviously are a lot of ghosts friend called me up with and skeletons in the Rationalists’ A a request to speak to a cupboard. The rationalist medicine Bishop in on behalf of a rationalist, against whom they are prescribing is deadlier than a group of Christians there had filed a defamation case. the dangers of superstition. It is akin Curiosity got the better of me to to the pot calling the kettle black >>> understand to learn more about the issue. I was surprised to learn that a small incident was blown out of proportion, and colleagues chose a minor invite pilgrims to come and visit in the process lies, deception incident in suburban Mumbai the place; neither were there any and misinformation were being to whip up publicity for his requests to people to contribute freely used. rationalist movement and for money. The issue relates to an incident himself, and even to make Sanal proclaimed that the of ‘miracle’ in a Mumbai church money out of the incident -- the water dripping from the Cross and the charges against Sanal very thing which he accuses the in the Our Lady of Velankanni Edamaruku, a Delhi-based self- priests in Mumbai of doing. Church in Irla was not miracle, proclaimed rationalist. Sanal The incident relates to a but it was caused by a leak in the is the son of veteran rationalist church in Irla close to Vile Parle sewage system. He blamed the leader and author late Joseph in Mumbai where some people Church authorities and priests Edamaruku. Sanal is a proponent witnessed water dripping from a alleging that the whole issue of rationalism and is known for Cross and claimed it is a miracle. was concocted to make money. his efforts to bust myths and They began to collect the water, On a TV-9 debate in Mumbai miracles. But I discovered that and pray there. Soon word he claimed that the miracle was besides this he also indulges in got around that miraculously false, and that the priest of the opposing religious beliefs and water was dripping from the Church was distributing the dirty poking fun at and denigrating Cross. The Church authorities, drainage water dripping from religious leaders like Mother however, did not proclaim it as a the Cross to hundreds of gullible Teresa. Sanal and his rationalist miracle or make any publicity or people. He demanded that the

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Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, Sanal and his ra- Bishop Agnelo Gracias, was on the TV-9 show, categorically tionalist colleagues stating that the Church has chose a minor in- not declared the incident as a miracle and that the Church is cident in suburban cautious and goes through a careful process before declaring Mumbai to whip up a phenomenon miracle. He publicity for his ra- denied other allegations of Sanal as unfounded. The Bishop also tionalist movement issued a written clarification: and for himself, “The official church has always been slow to attribute and even to make supernatural causes to money out of the ‘extraordinary’ phenomena Church authorities apologize we observe in life. As far as incident -- the very for advertising a natural possible, the Church tries to phenomenon as a “miracle” to see if such phenomena can be thing which he ac- attract devotees and promoting explained by natural causes. cuses the priests in them to drink unchecked dirty She does not pay too much water claiming it had curative attention to these extraordinary Mumbai of doing. properties. He also accused the phenomena, even though she >>> Catholics of promoting worship accepts the possibility that God of images and stated that the may intervene in human life in The Bishop also said there is Pope is against science. an extraordinary way – what we absolutely no point in bringing often term a ‘miraculous’ way.” in the Pope into such events. Sanal’s statements infuriated Regarding the Irla incident, he The Pope has certainly more a Mumbai-based lay Christian said, one can doubt if this water matters to attend to than a group called the Association of dripping has a supernatural dripping Cross! The Bishop Concerned Catholics (AOCC). cause. The church has NOT expressed surprise at the It demanded that Sanal publicly made any pronouncement on it. irrationality of the claims and apologize for his offensive One should not be in a hurry to allegations made by Sanal. He remarks hurting the religious make a pronouncement unless wrote: “What is amazing is that sentiments of the Catholics. one has investigated the matter. such loose statements are made They objected to his assertions It is quite possible that the by a member of the Rationalist that the Irla incident was created happening may have a totally Association. It would be good by priests to make money; that natural explanation. if the Rationalist Association Catholics worship images; and He, however, objected to the would look into the matter and that the Pope is against science. statements made by ‘the so- see whether a man who makes AOCC asked Sanal to withdraw called member of the Rationalist such “irrational” statements these three statements, failing Association’. He strongly should continue as a member of which it would file a case against denied the allegation that this such a respectable body!” him. He challenged them to do phenomenon has been created Then began a publicity so. He even threatened that he by priests who are out to make campaign and efforts to win would take the Bishops to the money. The Cross, the Bishop sympathy and even collect court. He not only refused to clarified, is not on Church funds for Sanal Edamaruku and apologize but hurled abuses and property and the one who is the Rationalist International threatened the Bishop, priests reported to have first noticed of which he is the founder and lay leaders. The AOCC the dripping water was not even president. Anyone who cares to went ahead and filed an FIR for a Catholic. No money has been look deeper into the issue will hurting religious sentiments and collected by any priest. And note that the small Irla incident causing disharmony. Sanal was surely, we do not build churches was used to trump up support for issued an arrest warrant. with such money, as is claimed. him, have him declared a hero, a

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sanctify their homes and heal “The official church their beloved.” According to the article, “It took him (Sanal) less has always been than half an hour to discover slow to attribute the source of the divine tears: a filthy puddle formed by a s u p e r n a t u r a l blocked drain, from where water causes to was being pushed up through a phenomenon all high-school ‘extraordinar y ’ physics students are familiar with, called capillary action.” phenomena we victim, and the Church a villain and an intolerant organization. observe in life. As The issue was made out to show The bias in Swami’s article was far as possible, the that the Church was dragging further obvious when he called him to court on the basis of some Sanal Edamaruku, “the eminent Church tries to see archaic . rationalist thinker”. Little did if such phenomena Unfortunately, several the senior journalist writing newspapers and magazines in a reputed newspaper do to can be explained as well as the internet blindly apply his journalistic instincts followed this line without and discretion to verify the facts by natural causes. verifying the contents of the FIR, before writing these words: “For >>> which included Sanal ridiculing his discovery, Mr. Edamaruku hold dear.” the Pope, challenging the now faces the prospect of three To indulge in unlawful acts Bishops and insulting the tenets years in prison -- and the absolute that can affect the welfare of of the Catholic faith and making certainty that he will spend others is not a right. The laws false allegations. He castigated several more years hopping are to safeguard the individuals the Church as intolerant. His between lawyers’ offices and and society from wanton and language was arrogant and courtrooms. In the wake of Mr. indiscriminate acts which affect provocative. In short, the case Edamaruku’s miracle-busting law and order. There are too filed against Sanal was not Mumbai visit three police many people hurling abuse, for challenging a miracle, but stations in the Capital received ridiculing and insulting others. insulting religious leaders, complaints against him for What kind of right is Swami provoking hatred and ridiculing inciting religious hatred. First demanding? Where are the the believers and their religious Information Reports were filed, boundaries of such wanton faith. and investigations initiated with exemplary -- if unusual -- rights? I wish the author One of ’s most reputed alacrity.” devotes his attention to promote newspapers The Hindu, carried I invite Swami as well as the tolerance and respect rather an article by Praveen Swami than demand the right to insult. on May 7, on its editorial page: editors of The Hindu to re- examine the charge against Sanal The Hindu in its opinion page “India’s god laws fail the test Edamaruku before crying wolf. stated, “Police investigation of of reason”. The sarcasm in Though Swami has propounded Sanal Edamaraku for debunking Swami’s article was evident in many valid arguments about the a ‘miracle’ at a church is a the opening paragraph itself: need to avoid fanaticism, and crime against the Indian “Early in March, little drops of the importance of reviewing Constitution.” Again, the case water began to drip from the archaic laws that might lead to is not for ‘debunking’ a miracle. feet of the statue of Jesus nailed misuse, one must be careful to Sanal is welcome to ‘debunk’ to the cross on the church of Our endorse his advocacy for ‘right any amount of miracles. He has Lady of Velankanni, down on to to insult’ others. For he writes: the wholehearted support of the Mumbai’s unlovely Irla Road. “If Indians wish to avoid the fate Church if this is done without Hundreds began to flock to the of the dystopia to the country’s prejudice, arrogance and ill will. church to collect the holy water west, its citizens desperately Investigation into the case in little plastic bottles, hoping need to accept the right of critics revealed certain truths. Though the tears of the son of god would to attack, even insult, what they not a rationalist myself, I engaged

INDIAN CURRENTS • 21 - 27 MAY 2012 13 Controversy my own reason and some tools of investigation to conclude the Sanal is welcome following: The Rationalists and to ‘debunk’ friends of Sanal have certain vested interests and are using any amount of lies to garner support for him. A miracles. He has section of the media, knowingly or unwittingly, is acting as his the wholehearted agents. Here are some facts: Sanal, who does not have a support of the valid doctorate, is frequently Church if this is done being referred to as “Dr. Sanal without prejudice, Edamaruku.” His actual bio- where ever you can. Support the data says: “Sanal Edamaruku arrogance and ill Sanal Edamaruku Defence Fund was born in 1955 in , as with a donation [Click here].” son of the veteran rationalist will. >>> Thus goes the campaign. leader and author Joseph Indian Rationalists fear it could Reading between the lines Edamaruku and his wife Soley. happen at any time. one can understand the He studied Political Science Sanal can be arrested any motives of the campaign being and International Relations at moment. In every single place orchestrated by Sanal and the University of Kerala and where a petition is filed against friends: get him publicity, get Jawaharlal Nehru University him he could be forced to appear funds, get support and win (JNU), , and got his in person to answer them. If his more followers. But why did the M. Phil degree from the Centre answer is not found satisfactory, so-called rationalists try to fool for South Asian Studies of JNU.” he could be arrested. He could the public with a campaign to So, does the M. Phil degree make be forced to fight a multitude of ‘Save Sanal’ by trying to collect him a ‘Doctor’? Then, there criminal cases in different places. funds to save him? It may were the screaming headlines This is not only immensely time be noted that the Rationalist in newspapers, magazines and and money consuming. Given International Bulletin (http:// internet stories, saying he is in the fanaticism of some Catholic www.rationalistinternational. danger. Here are some samples: believers, it can be a danger for net/) referring to the Mumbai ‘Batting for reason in a land of his life.” case says that he has not even faith’ “A very important and been issued any documents ‘India’s god laws fail the test of outrageous story that as yet has about the case: “On 11th of reason’ barely made the news. Sanal April, charges under Section 295 ‘Blind faith: bizarre babas and Edamaruku faces arrest simply A, Indian Penal Code, have been their followers’ for being right.” filed against Sanal Edamaruku ‘Reason under Fire in India’ “If you are interested in in at least three Mumbai police ‘FIR against rationalist, cops helping out with Edamaruku’s stations: in Juhu, in MIDC and call him for questioning’ Defense Fund”, you can donate in Andheri. Strangely, he did not ‘Christian forums file FIRs here. receive any official document after IRA chief calls ‘miracle “Support the Sanal about these cases up to now. The water’ a scam’ Edamaruku Defence Fund with Mumbai police refuse flatly to ‘Freedom of Expression Under your donation.” What follows is send copies of the complaints to Attack In India’ the details and mode of payment Delhi – an unusual violation of ‘TRUTH AS BLASPHEMY’ etc. the standard procedure. Sanal The event was also used to “We request you to support did not receive any summons garner international support Sanal Edamaruku’s campaigns either. Till today, there is nothing and to collect donations through and to help defending him official about it -- except the the internet campaign to “Save against all legal and extra legal phone calls of an inspector from Sanal”. One can view the message attacks. You can support Sanal in Juhu police station, who urges posted on the net: “Although he two ways. Spread the videos and Sanal to come and get arrested.” has not been arrested yet, the the information about the cases The moot question is: why

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a non-issue for most people, “one needn’t send such a person the Rationalists continued their to jail, but rather to a mental attempt to blow it up as an event asylum...” of global proportions. For any The fact is that there isn’t average person who is willing such worldwide support and to scrutinize their various thousands of blogs. These are comments and responses, the big lies. But what is obvious lack of consistency and logic in is the attempt to propel Sanal their argument is evident. Edamaruku to national and Under a headline “Enormous international limelight. The worldwide response”, the rationalists boasted: “Various Rationalists wrote on the Catholic organizations are internet: “Sanal’s harassment stepping up efforts to stop Sanal’s for exposing a Catholic hugely influential national wannabe miracle has caused an campaigns against miracle is the group appealing for enormous worldwide response. mongering. They want to silence donation to ‘save Sanal’? To save It is reported and discussed him and to bankrupt the Indian him from whom, and what? Why in many newspapers, TV and Rationalist Association with are the so-called ‘rationalists’ radio programs in India and multiple cases.” not applying their investigative abroad. It keeps snowballing The article goes on: “When instincts when it comes to their through thousands of blogs in Sanal Edamaruku started own interest? Why do they try to various languages around the exposing Paul Dinakaran on mislead the public with cries of globe. People in USA, Canada, one of the big national Hindi imminent danger and threat to Germany, Switzerland, France, channels, a live program Sanal? The rationalist supporters Italy, Poland, Russia, Brazil, scheduled for thirty minutes of Sanal have concealed from Japan and even Vietnam are was extended to three hours the public and media the fact expressing their solidarity with as the viewership numbers hit that the FIR is not against his Sanal’s courageous position in record heights. The discussion “miracle busting” as trumpeted the controversial TV discussion was watched by millions, about, but for insulting the Pope that followed his exposure of the when Sanal draw the line to and other offenses. dripping cross. In the light of this Dinakaran’s Vatican backed Read the intemperate language great public attention, Sanal’s competitors in the Divine Retreat and baseless accusations against detractors may have considered Centre at Muringoor in Kerala the Church the rationalists have it advisable to slow down their and to the Catholic Church’s posted on the internet: moves for a while. But now, unparalleled track record of “It is more than three weeks things are warming up.” miracle mongering throughout now that agents of the Catholic “The Catholic Church is history.” Again tall claims and a Church pressed multiple orchestrating the background travesty of truth! blasphemy charges against music for the countdown. It’s There obviously are a lot of Sanal Edamaruku to avenge him the rather nasty noise of the ghosts and skeletons in the “dogs of the Lord” yapping for exposing their “miracle” of Rationalists’ cupboard. The themselves hoarse. With a the water-dripping cross as a rationalist medicine they are great smear campaign, a fanatic job for the plumber. While the prescribing is deadlier than Catholic group tries to stir up threat of arrest keeps looming the dangers of superstition. It hatred against Sanal, branding is akin to the pot calling the over Sanal’s head, ready to hit his arguments in the TV-9 debate anytime, the Catholic Church as “anti-Catholic venom”. They kettle black. Let us hope Sanal is unleashing the “dogs of the try to invoke fatwa power: Edamaruku and his friends Lord”. In a widely circulated Kindling the imagination how will have the sense, if not the public statement, a fanatic fanatic Islamists might deal with courtesy, to apply the tools Catholic group tries to invoke such a blasphemer, they leave of rational investigation and fatwa power and calls Sanal a the decision if Sanal “should be truthful conduct to themselves. case for mental asylum.” allowed to go scot free” to the After all, like charity, rationalism While the whole incident is mob. Finally they propose that must also begin at home.

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