Scientists slam ‘irrational’ claims about ancient India, plan nationwide protests

Bengaluru: Eminent Indian scientists and researchers from several institutions as well as laypersons interested in science have condemned the “irrational and unscientific claims” made by two scientists at the ongoing Indian Science Congress (ISC).

On Friday, Andhra University vice-chancellor G Nageswara Rao claimed to an audience of children and teachers at the Children’s Science Congress that Kauravas were born using stem cell technology, Ravana had 24 types of aircraft and Sri Lanka at that time had airports. A scientist from Tamil Nadu had also claimed during the session that Newton and Einstein’s theories would be disproved and that gravitational waves would shortly be named ‘Modi waves’.

On Sunday, representatives from the Akhila Karnataka Vicharavadigala Vedike (Karnataka Rationalists’ Forum), and Breakthrough Science Society (BSS), an organisation of scientists and researchers which seeks to popularise science among the masses, as well as other organisations led a silent protest with placards outside the Indian Institute of Science.

“This has been happening at the ISC year after year. We had met the president of the ISC Association after the Mumbai session in 2015 and handed him a petition raising our concerns. After that we’ve had the congress in Mysuru, Tirupati and so on, and the same things continue. People must ask the organisers how they allow this,” Rajani KS, secretary, BSS Karnataka said.

BSS will hold protests in multiple Indian cities on Monday, including outside Andhra University to protest claims made by its V-C.

The protest saw participation from students and IT professionals too. “We will be holding protests in more than 10 cities tomorrow. It is important that we tell people that such claims should have no place at an event like the ISC,” Rajani said.

The statement issued by the All India Committee of BSS said, “It is absolutely distressing that these claims were made in the Children Science Congress section of ISC where the audience was largely comprised of teachers and young students.”

Reputed Indian scientists also decried such claims about ancient Indian inventions, made on an eminent platform like the congress. Aerospace scientist Roddam Narasimha pointed out that previous sessions had also seen such claims.

CNR Rao, noted chemistry professor said, “I now avoid attending sessions of the congress. If I attend, it might appear as if I am endorsing these statements and claims.”