V.M. Tarkunde passes away

Justice (retired) V.M. Tarkunde, eminent Indian Human Rights activist, Radical Humanist and Rationalist, died at New Delhi after prolonged illness. Tarkunde breathed his last at the Apollo Hospital on 22nd March evening from a leukaemia-type blood disorder. He was 94 and is survived by a daughter. He was an Honorary Associate of Rationalist Press Association (RPA) and a laureate of the International Humanist Academy .

Vithal Mahadev Tarkunde, born on July 3, 1909, was a close associate of M.N.Roy, a member of the Communist International who became a humanist in the later years of his life and began the Radical Humanist movement. Tarkunde vigorously propagated the humanist thought of M.N.Roy. He was a Judge in Bombay High Court in early 1960s but resigned to practice as a lawyer at the Supreme Court of India and to work for the Radical Humanist movement. Tarkunde later founded the Indian Radical Humanist Association and became its first chairman. He was also the founder president of Peoples Union of Civil Liberties of India. Tarkunde edited a journal namely The Radical Humanist and published articles and books.

Though a political activist, following the unilateral dissolution of the Radical Democratic Party by its founder M.N. Roy, Tarkunde did not join any other political party. He supported candidates of integrity in many elections and told people that they were not obliged to vote for any party, that they could select and nominate their own men and women, whom they would be able to influence better. This Radical Humanist political approach was intended to create small islands of democracy and freedom. Tarkunde defended freedom of speech during the Emergency period (1975-77) and actively involved in the political fight for re-establishing democratic rights in India. He also lead an organization namely Citizens for Democracy. Tarkunde was honoured by the International Humanist and Ethical Union for his courageous fight for freedom of speech and civil liberties during the "Emergency" period in India by giving him the Humanist Award. Government of India decorated him with Padmabhushan award in 1998.

The Rationalist International salutes V.M.Tarkunde, the doyen of Indian Human Rights movement, and expresses deep condolence to all his colleagues, friends and family members.