The Freethought Party of India (FPI) expressed its sadness over the fact that that political leaders across party line have totally chosen to ignore the name of renowned social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy for Bharat Ratna simply because he had the guts to speak against the degrading caste system and the most irrational practice of idol worship.
The FPI organised a seminar on the occasion of 245th Birthday of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, entitled “Complete Modernization of India Requires Complete Adherence to the Rationalistic Ideas and Ideals of the renowned social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy” under the chairmanship of party president Dr Bijayananda Kar.
Initiating the discussion, party general secretary B Ramchandra CST Voltaire made it clear that if Bharat Ratna is conferred on Raja Ram Mohan Roy, then the members of the political class and the students studying in different educational institutions would think it worthwhile to become “progressive” and “non-discriminatory” citizens of the Indian republic and, as a result, India would be free from both the caste system and idolatry. Voltaire added, the late Biju Patnaik undermined his qualities of leadership by offering prayers in the Temple of lord Jagannath of Puri and his patronization of Puja Committees in the city of Cuttack has fully made it clear that Bijubabu was not really a social reformer of the calibre of Roy. He lamented that while there is a strong lobby from political leaders to confer the award on Bijubabu, nobody thinks of the merit of Roy.
Among others, Kalyan Ray, Gandharb Nayak and Dr Bijayananda Kar spoke.