In a shocking affront to freedom of expression, the Government of Punjab, India, has banned four rationalist books and threatened legal action against the authors and translators, Tarksheel Society of Punjab reports. The supposed grounds for the ban is that the books are "incorrect literature" about Hindu deities.

IHEU has welcomed a final report by the outgoing Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion, warning of the risk of religious violence in India.

IHEU has used a meeting with UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Asma Jahangir to highlight human rights problems in India. At a meeting in Mumbai on 11 March 2008, IHEU International Director Babu Gogineni made a presentation to Ms Jahangir on separation of religion and state in India and the rights of Humanists.

Sib Narayan Ray died on 26 February 2008 in Santiniketan, India at the age of 85. He served on the executive committee of IHEU from 1952 to 1962.

Section 377 was introduced by Lord Macaulay in 1860 as a part of the Indian Penal Code. A plain reading of the section makes clear that it punishes 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature' with either imprisonment of 10 years or life and fine.

In 1947, when India became an independent country, free from British rule, its population stood at 300 million. Today it is the second most populous country in the world, after China, with a total population of over a billion people, one sixth of the total population of the world.

For six full days, from 25th to 31st December 2007, over 60 participants from several regions of the Indian sub-continent gathered at IHEU Member Organisation Viveka College of Education in Chirala to discuss, to debate and to learn about Humanism, Rationalism and Secularism. Activities started at the crack of dawn and ended only well past midnight.

The 1st Annual Conference of Gujarat-Mumbai Rationalist Association and the 77th Annual Conference of Rationalist Association of India was held on 24 & 25 November in Palanpur. Babu Gogineni reports on this unique event that turned out to be a vehicle for inspiration and excitement for more than 250 Humanists.

'May God Protect Us All!'

Where am I?

IHEU International Director Babu Gogineni is helping to organize a lecture in Hyderabad, India, to be given by Prof. D. D. Bandiste, Indore on 24 February 2008.