THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Dera-ism and Baba-ism a major threat to scientific temper: Prof. Gauhar Raza”
Three-day book fair spreading the light of progressive literature concludes
Successful staging of the plays Socrates and Thaggi
Barnala, August 24, 2026: The three-day book fair being held at the local Tarksheel Bhawan in memory of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar concluded today. On the final day, the venue remained vibrant throughout the day with discussions, revolutionary songs and theatrical performances.
In the first session, renowned scientist and poet Dr. Gauhar Raza engaged the audience in an insightful dialogue on the topic, “Challenges to Scientific Thinking in the Present Era and Our Role.” He said that scientific thinking in the country is currently facing a major threat from communal and fascist forces such as the RSS, which, he alleged, are saffronising, commercialising and privatising educational institutions and promoting superstition. As a result, he said, under the guise of religious faith and spirituality, dera-ism, baba-ism and the business of ignorance are flourishing in the country. To counter this, he stressed the need to carry the torch of scientific temper to every doorstep, particularly to educational institutions.
Describing the book fair organised by the Tarksheel Society as an excellent initiative, he said that people-oriented literature has played an important role in bringing about social change. He added that despite limited resources and opposition from communal forces, the Tarksheel Society is continuing to spread the light of scientific temper in society.
Earlier, renowned people-oriented singer Dharminder Masani created a revolutionary atmosphere with his powerful rendition of songs written by Avtar Pash, Sant Ram Udasi, Mahinder Saathi and Amolak Singh.During the event, translated books on the Tarksheel movement and human rights by Kanwal Dhillon and Boota Singh Mahmoodpur were also released.
The programme featured a successful staging of the play “Socrates” by Natium Punjab, directed by noted playwright Kirti Kripal, as well as the play “Thaggi”, presented by the Chandigarh School of Drama under the direction of Ikkattar Singh.
On the occasion, state organisational head Master Rajinder Bhadaur thanked the guests, audience members and readers for making the book fair a success and assured that the book fair would be organised every year.
A resolution passed during the event demanded that the decision to suspend the sentence and grant bail to Sachin Andhure, convicted in the murder of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, be revoked. It also demanded the arrest of Virendra Tawde, described in the resolution as the alleged main conspirator in the murder. Alongside this, a strong demand was made for the implementation of an anti-superstition law in Punjab.
Those present at the event included state committee leaders Rajpal Singh, Rajesh Aklia, Gurpreet Shehna, Ram Swarup Lakhe wali, Sumit Amritsar, Jaswant Mohali, Sukhwinder Bagpur, Joginder Kullewal, Kuljit Fazilka, Surjit Tibba, Jaswant Jirakh, Jinder Bagpur, Praveen Jandwala, Param Ved Sangrur, Baljinder Kaur, Paramjit Kaur, Dr. Rakesh Jindal, Binder Dhanaula, Jasvir Soni, Jarnail Dhaula, Satpal Saloh, Ajaib Jalalana, Vinod Kumar, Rajinder Kaur Ambala, Dr. Tarlok Bandhu, journalist Purshotam Balli, Harmesh Malri, Principal Harinder Kaur, Dr. Jasbir Aulakh, Pawan Parinda, Gopal Kaunke, Gurmeet Kharrar, Gyan Saidupuri, Harchand Bhinder, Jagdish Nawanshahr, Gurmeet Ambala, Anupam Ambala, Madam Anupama Sharma, Rajesh Bindra, Jaipal, Ram Kumar Patiala, Surjit Daudhar, Amish Bagpur, Rajinder Jandiali, Iqbal Udasi, Sukhwinder Goga, Ajit Pardesi and Master Jasbir, along with a large number of literature enthusiasts and leaders and activists of public, democratic and literary organisations.
