To highlight the non-implementation in Odisha of a historic judgment of the Orissa High Court on August 2, 1971 that a Government servant has every right to express his views freely, the Freethought Party of India celebrated August 2 as the “Free Speech and Human Dignity Day”.
To mark the occasion the party organized a seminar on the topic entitled, “Unhindered march of free thought is indispensable for spread of human dignity and elimination of caste system, Dalit atrocities and idol Worship”.
Odisha Rationalist Society president Prof Dhaneswar Sahu presided over the seminar and Debendra Sutar, Editor of the Odia journal “Charcha” graced as chief guest.
FPI general secretary B Ramchandra CST Voltaire presented a paper and stressed on encouragement to critical thinking and promotion of scientific outlook.
Sutar held the view that rationalistic syllabus should be there right from the beginning of the academic career. Former bureaucrat Kalyan Ray observed that all Fascist or racist ideologies should be done away with.
Monthly mouthpiece of the party “March of Freethought Implies March of Human Dignity” was unveiled by guests.FPI president Dr Bijayananda Kar, chief of the Odisha Chapter of Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI) Manas Jena, ODAM advisor MS Yadav, activist Bhadrasen Bhoina and co-founder of AMOFOI Swapna Bijayini spoke.