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_ V _ "Basave.shwara was rationalist and free thinker. Jtidiavjcan not boast of a long tradition of free thinking, if "'although.*its contribution to the intellectual heritage of nzanlkind, is quite substantial. Free thinking was not ~~ V encouraged in India excepting a few flashes during the beriod of Upanishads and during the rise of Buddhism. In the words of Arthur Miles, Basaveshwara was the first Indian free thinker. He encouraged the ("R f spirit of enquiry and gave free scope for discussion. subjected to enquiry the age old beliefs and ~ and emancipated peopie from superstition =2 meaningiess rituals and practices.;'?....

;--...x J' be tolerant to such criticism as observed by the Supreme Court in BIJOE EMMANUEL Vs. STATE OF KERALA, 1986 "615, as under: 'A H H A "Our traditions teaches toleranc-e;"" . Our philosophy preaches to tolerance; ~ Our Constitution practices tolerance; Let us not dilute it."

14. It is difficult,to"'distingui'shbetxveen'blind beliefs and faithslfrorny 'l'heudi;vidin g line is very thin. There are explained'beliel'sttl There are also unexplained beliefs and faiths."-§i"he.re' are'..Vbel.iefs and faiths which are non--violent, < prov:ide__pi$0lace', creates..e'onfidence and useful to the people. A blind ' belief "orl'f'aith"not based on reason, knowledge or experience is 'called as su_perstition. These superstitions are found all over the world and in all walks of life concerning all activities throughout history. Like people of the World over, most Indians are superstitious. Even the daily life of Indians is governed by superstitions.

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15. There are superstitions which are violent, dangerous, destructive, harmful and inhuman. The superstiti_oh"«of'_~ _ sacrifice still continues. The practice of torturing.w--orzien to..:death__in" as the name of 'Witches' or 'Sorceress' is__still-.contir1uinAg."Th'e greatest damage done by these harmful' su_persti'ti.ons is ihatl_th,ey dleflectfr attention from the primary causelvlvaridiead todefeatistifattitude of helpless acceptance. The3;_.stand.'<l:jhn unearthing the root cause and undertaking adequate They made the ignorant people: laziness. They deprived the aiiidllhistorical energies. They subjected instead of elevating man to be the They transformed a self.

17. By experience we have r_eal.ised thatiiito-isomeViexte-ntu' education and economic deveiopmelnt 'help. in. erad'i'cating superstitions. But, scientific ternpe'r._.and the spirit v.of"«:enqVuiry is a must for eradicating superstitions,_.Wh3r_ should. we--havgE1o develop the scientific temper? Science the structure and dynamics of theyvorld scientific temper means pursuiuif around us, so that we may function.'~moreg"effic-i_ently, more effortlessly and more happily. It "questions rationalbased on factual assessment and helps in e1_{aidicAa.ting dogniatism. It helps as a powerful tool in eliminating .cus.tomary,1rrational practices. It creates a conducive atmosphere to iioradigzatfig p ..j.,p.las;s"'V discrirnination, slavery, bonded labour, untouchability, gender discrimination and racial discrimination. if 18. it infills courage by including true knowledge based on V hitruth, factuai information and realistic approach. it also creates an F"