Junk restrictive faith-based laws: Mumbai atheists
(source: Daily News & Analysis)
by Imran Fazal
The Atheists community from Mumbai will be coming together in a conference to demand abolition of the Indian Penal Code Sections 295 (hurting religious sentiments), 295A (deliberate act intended to outrage religious feelings) and 298 (Uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person). The community will also demand that an elected leader should not take an oath in ‘God’s’ name to maintain the sovereignty of the state.
The fourth atheist conference which will be organised by The Brights will have speakers who promote rationalism. Advocate Asim Sarode will talk about the IPC Sections 295, 295A and 298 which were written during the British era.
“When the President of our country is elected, the person is subjected to say “I, (name), do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm), which should not happen. We will also demand change in the swearing-in the court witness box in which people are forced to take oath under a holy book,” said Kumar Nage, Country Head for a multinational company and founder of The Brights.
