The death of God (Madras, December 1933) M. SINGARAVELU (1860–1946)

The death of God (Madras, December 1933) M. SINGARAVELU (1860–1946)

Singaravelu was known as the first communist of South India—he presided

over the Communist Party of India’s foundation conference in Kanpur in

1925—and he was an ardent atheist. e following speech was given as the

chair at the first Madras Atheists Conference. As a champion of atheism,

Singaravelu came to be associated with the anti-Brahmin movement that

swept Tamil Nadu in the 1920s. He worked closely with ‘Periyar’ E.V.

Ramaswami Naicker who provided leadership to the anti-Brahmin protests.

Naicker had been active in Non Co-operation movement but he left the

Congress in the mid-20s and formed his own movement that advocated

weddings without Brahmin priests, forcible temple-entry, the burning of

the Manusmriti and atheism. e speech is important because it shows that

while Gandhi’s religious idiom was the dominating influence within the

Congress, other currents of thought imbued with rationalism and the

scientific temper were developing among sections of Indians.

main speech

I think this conference is the first of its kind in the whole of India. One can

boldly assert that this conference will bring good to the country and people.

Unfortunately some people, out of ignorance, have ridiculed this

conference. As usual, theists indulge in slander. e bureaucrats try to

indulge in repression under some pretext or other. But this is not a new

occurrence. In the past all progressive movements have been persecuted and

ridiculed.

Not content with ridiculing the progressive movement, this mad and

ignorant world has always tried to stop the spread of scientific knowledge.

Ingersol, the famous atheist of America was not taken note of during his

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lifetime and was even ridiculed. But now his birth anniversary is being

celebrated in America. Bradlaugh, the British atheist, was put behind bars

during his lifetime. Now what happens in Britain? Commemoration

meetings in honour of Bradlaugh are being held in Britain. I am sure in due

course still bigger conferences of this kind would be held in this country. It

is quite likely that people may forget the names of the atheists but their

ideas will remain forever in their minds.

Atheism is an ancient doctrine which originated and developed side by side

with theism. When the concept of God was ushered in, alongside came the

doctrine of ‘no-God’. Till the time man developed his faculty to speak, he

was not aware of any God. Some of the primitive tribesmen have confessed

their ignorance about God, and can aptly be called ‘primitive atheists’.

In this connection it is really interesting to note the history of religion.

Every religion had proclaimed that people belonging to the other religions

were atheists. A non-Hindu is an atheist to a Hindu. To a Muslim any non-

Muslim is an atheist. Likewise, many more people were termed as atheists.

Hence, I would like to say one should really be proud to be an atheist as he

is not only non-religious but also does not accept a belief in God.

As the word (God) was man’s own creation, he began to build houses

(temples) for his God. Just as he respected his superiors and elders, he

began to respect his God. What he did to entertain himself like music,

dance, rituals, feasts, he offered to his God. us, God advanced as man

advanced.

Some shrewd men of those days found an easy way to life and this paved

the way for replacing the word with an idol. To make man live perpetually

in fear of God, these men did everything possible and thus priesthood came

into existence. ese priests lived and thrived on the fear and ignorance of

men. us around the single word ‘God’ the entire edifice of religious and

philosophical system of rituals and prayers were built. In the course of

history, many beliefs have become obsolete and I am sure that this belief,

namely, theism too would become obsolete in due course.

e first and most dangerous affect of theism is that it saps the initiative of

man. Ignorance take deep roots in him. People are prevented from

acquiring scientific knowledge. eism is not only a negative evil; it is

positively harmful to the people. Whatever may be the future of God, we

can never forget and forgive his past. It is only atheism that instills

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confidence in man. It is only atheism which proclaims that social and

economic inequalities are only manmade. Hence, it goads man to seek out

ways of removing obstacles in the way of progress. It is only atheism that

proclaims to man: ‘Man, be a man. You alone can convert this earth into a

paradise.’

Comrades, crucial battles are ahead of us. We cannot rest on our laurels

now. ough it is put on defence, theism has not been completely routed.

Power, money, propaganda, still side with theism. Further, a majority of

people, out of ignorance still remain with theism and we have to redeem

them. eism alongwith power and money may over and again attempt to

bar the growth and development of human initiative. A concrete example is

the development of Hitlerism and fascism. Religious beliefs and other ageold

obscurantist ideas are thrust down the throats of people. is is a

dangerous trend. Take again some of the views expressed by Gandhiji. He is

openly advocating theism. Further, he is crying to make some readjustment

in the caste system, to reform it. In our view these are against the principles

of atheism. e so-called removal of untouchability is a mere device to

strengthen religious beliefs among the people. e untouchables numbering

about six crores are economically poor and downtrodden. What they need is

neither God or religion. ey need a meal a day and an opportunity to earn

a decent living.

However, there is another danger ahead. e Hindu Mahasabha, the

Sanatanis, Muslim communalists, etc., are still striving hard to capture the

legislative assembly so that theism can be enthroned. ese are the worst

reactionaries in this unfortunate land. Beware comrades, not to lose this

opportunity for contesting and capturing every seat in every village and

panchayat, in every taluk and district board. Fearlessly expose the sham of

casteism and oppression. Dethrone ignorance and theism. Please, enthrone

atheism and socialism in its place.