Indian Skeptic - 2011 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of Indian Skeptic, Volume 02/02, dated February 2011, is an e-magazine published by Manoj Trichambaram. It is distributed free of charge with the aim of promoting a scientific temper and spirit of inquiry. The magazine explicitly states that the views expressed in its articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Indian Skeptic.

Sabarimala Makara Jyothi: Man Made 'Divinity'

This lead article by Ram Puniyani critically examines the Makara Jyothi phenomenon at Sabarimala. The article begins by recounting the tragic stampede on January 14, 2011, which resulted in 102 deaths, and a similar incident in 1999 that claimed 52 lives. Puniyani questions the government's role in managing civic arrangements for such large religious gatherings, highlighting an instance where temple authorities refused entry to a female IAS officer due to the temple's rule against women of menstruating age. The article delves into the history of Sabarimala, noting the reverence for Waver, a Muslim saint, and suggests that the 'divine light' of Makara Jyothi is actually an 'Aarti' (devotional ritual with a lamp) offered by sages, but in reality, it is created by burning camphor in urns. This practice, initially an Adivasi ritual, was taken over by the Temple Trust and propagated as a divine light, attracting millions of pilgrims and generating significant revenue. The author criticizes the government for its complicity in this 'fraud' and the temple trust for continuing it. The article also touches upon the broader issue of faith versus blind faith, referencing historical figures like Charvak, Buddha, Kabir, and Nehru who advocated for rational thought and scientific temper.

Atheist Eve: Searching For God!

This section features a comic strip titled 'Atheist Eve' by Tracie Harris. The comic depicts a conversation where one character questions another's apparent search for God, leading to a realization about atheism. The accompanying text explains that Tracie Harris is a graphic designer whose personal experiences, including the loss of her sister due to domestic violence and her subsequent work at a women's shelter, led her to question religious teachings and become an atheist activist. Her work 'Atheist Eve' has been published since October 1, 2004.

Sabarimala – Recurring Tragedy Caused by State-Sponsored Superstition

Authored by Manoj TV, this article revisits the Sabarimala tragedy of January 14, 2011, emphasizing that it was an 'easily avoidable tragedy'. The author points out that a similar stampede occurred 12 years prior, yet the government's response, including instituted inquiry commissions, has been ineffective in preventing future disasters. The article criticizes the government for shamelessly promoting 'religious tourism' and an 'official magic show' for financial gain, while the Sabarimala temple's location in a forest poses environmental challenges. The author highlights the severe environmental degradation caused by pilgrims, including plastic waste and sewage in the Pampa river. As a solution, the article suggests limiting the number of pilgrims and, importantly, that the government and Devaswom board should actively publicize the fact that Makara Jyothi is man-made. The article also references a statement by the Sabarimala head-priest, Kanatararu Maheswararu Thantri, in 2008, admitting that the Makara Jyothi was man-made, though this information did not gain wide publicity. The author proposes that simultaneous telecasts of the 'puja' at Ponnambalamedu alongside the Makara Jyothi would help dispel the illusion of a miracle.

Makara Jyothi – A State Sponsored Fraud

This article, originally published in the ezine Bangalore Skeptic in January 2008, reiterates the criticism of Makara Jyothi as a 'State Sponsored Fraud'. It describes the peculiar behavior of devotees during the Sabarimala season and asserts that the Government of Kerala perpetrates this 'spiritual fraud' for revenue. The article explains the belief that Makara Jyothi is a miraculous appearance of Lord Ayyappa or an 'arathi' performed by celestial beings. It also mentions that the temple authorities spread stories about the inaccessibility of Ponnambalamedu to deter people from investigating. The article includes a scanned image of Devaswom authorities and KSEB associates preparing to light the Makara Jyothi in 1981, sourced from a pamphlet by Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham.

Book Review: Searching For The Sun In Candle Light...

This section features a book review by Prabhakar Nanawaty of the book 'Searching For The Sun In Candle Light...'. The review is accompanied by an image of the book cover, which depicts abstract, fiery imagery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of religious beliefs and practices, particularly the Makara Jyothi event at Sabarimala. The magazine strongly advocates for rationalism, scientific temper, and skepticism towards phenomena presented as divine miracles, especially when they are revealed to be man-made and exploited for financial gain or to perpetuate superstition. The editorial stance is clearly against blind faith and in favor of promoting critical thinking and evidence-based understanding, aligning with the principles of secularism and the promotion of a rational society as envisioned by figures like Nehru. The magazine aims to debunk myths and expose what it terms 'state-sponsored fraud' and 'superstition' within religious contexts.

Title: Indian Skeptic
Issue: February 2011
Cover Headline: Makara Jyothi Is Man-Made
Character: This issue of Indian Skeptic focuses on debunking the 'miracle' of Makara Jyothi at Sabarimala, Kerala, presenting it as a meticulously orchestrated fraud. It also includes a critique of Vaastushastra as a pseudoscience.

Makara Jyothi: A Man-Made Miracle

The magazine details the long-standing controversy surrounding the Makara Jyothi, a light that appears annually at Ponnambalamedu during the Makaravilakku festival. It begins by describing the event and the fervent belief of devotees, while also highlighting the skepticism and rationalist challenges to this phenomenon.

The 1981 Expose

A significant event detailed is the attempt by the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham in 1981 to expose the 'fraudulent drama' enacted by temple authorities. A group of skeptics, armed with firecrackers and cameras, visited Ponnambalamedu on January 14, 1981. They distributed a pamphlet titled 'Makrajyothi: a Fraud (Makarajyothis Enna Thattippu)' and sold thousands of copies. This action was taken to counter the 'meticulous appearance' of the Jyothi year after year, which the article suggests is a ploy to attract credulous devotees.

The 'Actual' Event

The article describes Ponnambalamedu as a flat grassland. On January 14, 1981, a Jeep belonging to the Travancore Devaswam Board was stationed nearby. Approximately 500 people, including relatives and friends of Kerala State Electricity Board employees, gathered to witness the event. At around 6:30 PM, V.R. Gopinathan Nair, a driver with the Kerala Electricity Board, and accomplices filled a platter with camphor and lit it. This was done in response to a signal (a flashlight) from Sabarimala. Interestingly, the rationalists present also lit torches and firecrackers, which were then faithfully reported by media as the 'divine' Makara Jyothi.

Media and Official Complicity

Reports from the time, such as from Deepika daily and Mathrubhumi daily, noted multiple appearances of the Makara Jyothi, which the article attributes to the torches and crackers lit by the rationalists. The temple authorities, enraged by this exposure, allegedly instigated officials of the Road Transport Office to file a case against the bus owner who transported the rationalists. The bus owner was fined for using an unauthorized route. The article claims that from 1982 onwards, the fraud has been perpetrated under the protection of the state police.

NDTV's 2007 Report

In February 2007, NDTV correspondent Rajesh Ramachandran filed a report from Ponnambalamedu, marking the first such expose by a national TV channel. The report showed police barricades and a concrete slab prepared for the ritual. The article quotes Raman Nair, President of Tranvancore Devasnom Board, calling the light a 'miraculous thing'. However, it contrasts this with the view of Shivananda, a former employee of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), who witnessed the light being lit in 1981 by a KSEB driver using camphor and an aluminum vessel.

Minister's Statements and Priest's Confession

Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran is quoted stating that the government has not inquired into the matter because it relates to the faith of devotees. However, the article points out the minister's earlier statement to NDTV and questions his sudden realization about the 'human-hand' behind the miracle. The most significant revelation comes from Kantararu Maheswararu Thantri, the head priest of Sabarimala, who, on May 28, 2008, stated in a press release that the 'Jyothi' was man-made. This confession followed protests against godmen in Kerala.

Media's Role and Criticism

The article strongly criticizes the media for its role in perpetuating the alleged fraud. It questions why investigative reporters were not sent to unearth the truth and why well-documented exposes by rationalists were ignored for years. The media is accused of actively supporting the growth of this fraud.

The Distinction Between Makara Jyothi and Makaravilakku

The article highlights the confusion deliberately created between Makara Jyothi and Makaravilakku. While Makara Jyothi is presented as a star (a natural phenomenon), Makaravilakku is described as man-made. The author suggests this distinction is used to confuse devotees and maintain the revenue generated by the temple.

Vaastushastra: A Critique of Pseudoscience

The magazine also features a review of the book 'Searching For The Sun In Candle Light...' by Arvind Pakhle, which exposes the alleged frauds and falsehoods of Vaastushastra. The article notes that Vaastushastra, an ancient system of architecture, gained popularity only in the 1980s. It argues that the progress of society was not hampered before its widespread adoption and that the system is built on endless untruths.

Historical Context and Symbolism

According to the book, cities like Harappa and Mohenjodaro evolved around 2300 BC without any mention of Vaastushastra. The Aryan tribes, upon arriving in India, are said to have invented abstract concepts like heaven, hell, and Moksha, which form the basis of Vaastushastra. The article suggests that the philosophy is founded on symbolism and aims to strengthen male dominance and the Chaturvarnya caste system.

Lack of Scientific Basis

The article criticizes Vaastushastra for its impractical and illogical concepts, such as the 'Vaastupurush' and 'Brahmasthan'. It points out that Vaastu experts selectively use dictates from ancient wisdom, creating arbitrary rules about directions, house portions, and the placement of elements like water tanks and staircases, without logical explanations.

Commercial Exploitation

Vaastu experts are accused of aggressive marketing and exploiting people's fears of death, debt, disease, and accidents to extract money. They are also said to combine Indian Vaastushastra with Chinese Feng Shui, suggesting methods to balance 'energy' through items like tortoises and photo frames, further swindling customers.

The Author's Conclusion

Arvind Pakhle's book, based on his experience as a builder, concludes that it is impossible to build a house or flat adhering to Vaastushastra criteria. The article questions the link between building erection and philosophy, religion, and cosmic energy, and the interlinking with planets and zodiac signs, deeming the entire trend of thought incomprehensible.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exposure of religious and pseudoscientific frauds, the critical role of media in shaping public perception, and the critique of institutions that benefit from such beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly rationalist and skeptical, aiming to debunk widely held beliefs that are presented as miraculous or scientifically sound, particularly when they appear to be commercially or politically motivated. The magazine advocates for critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning over blind faith and superstition.

Title: Indian Skeptic
Issue Date: February 2011

This issue of Indian Skeptic focuses on critical thinking, skepticism, and the debunking of pseudoscientific practices. It features articles on Vaastu Shastra, a review of a book on the subject, an announcement for a scientific workshop, and an excerpt on skeptical thinking principles.

Vaastu Shastra Critique

The magazine presents a critical perspective on Vaastu Shastra, with one article detailing the author's negative personal experience in attempting to restructure his house according to Vaastu principles. The author concludes that Vaastu professionals exploit public vulnerability and greed, using threats of dire consequences to enforce their recommendations. The article also mentions a book by Arvind Pralhad Pakhale titled 'Searching For The Sun In Candle Light.... (Wisdom of Vaastushastra)', published by Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti in 2006. This book reportedly includes the full text of a declaration by scientists on the illusory nature of Vaastushastra, signed by Dr. Jayant Narlikar.

Yukti 2011 Workshop

An advertisement announces 'Yukti 2011', a two-day interactive workshop scheduled for February 19-20, 2011, aimed at promoting scientific temper among working professionals. The workshop will feature prominent freethinkers like Narendra Nayak and Babu Gogineni, discussing science, pseudoscience, and the paranormal. The event is organized by Yukti Workshop and supported by various rationalist organizations. Talks and workshops will cover topics such as debunking alternative medicine, astrology, Vaastu, logical fallacies, and humanism. The venue is Vijnana Bhavana in Bengaluru.

Tools for Skeptical Thinking

An excerpt from Carl Sagan's essay, 'The Fine Art of Baloney Detection,' is presented under the title 'Tools for Skeptical Thinking.' This section outlines fundamental principles of skeptical inquiry. Key points include the necessity of independent confirmation for facts, the importance of substantive debate among proponents of different views, and the caution against relying solely on arguments from authority, emphasizing that experts can err. Sagan advises spinning multiple hypotheses, systematically testing them to find which survives disproof, and avoiding over-attachment to one's own ideas. He also stresses the value of quantification in discriminating between hypotheses and the principle of Occam's Razor for choosing the simpler explanation when two hypotheses are equally valid. The importance of falsifiability and the ability for others to replicate experiments are also highlighted.

Other Content

The issue includes a quote attributed to Andre Compte-Sponville from 'The Book of Atheist Spirituality (2007),' which posits that believing in God is an act of pride while atheism is a form of humility, advocating for acceptance of earthly nature. Additionally, there is a quote attributed to Buddha, emphasizing the importance of critical examination and analysis before accepting any doctrine, and believing only in what is conducive to the good, benefit, and welfare of all beings.

Organizations and Events

Information is provided about the Bangalore Vicharavadi Sangha (Bangalore Rationalist Association) conducting monthly lectures and discussions, with contact details for Dr. M.N.Keshava Rao and A.S.Nataraj. It also mentions district-level meetings of the Karnataka State Federation of Rationalist Associations (KSFRA), with contact information for the State Convener, BVV Subba Rao.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism, rationalism, critical thinking, and the debunking of pseudoscientific beliefs and practices like Vaastu Shastra. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and intellectual honesty, as exemplified by the inclusion of Carl Sagan's principles for skeptical thinking and the critical examination of claims that lack empirical support. The magazine actively promotes rationalist organizations and events aimed at fostering a scientific temper.