Government distances itself from bizarre comments that drew flak at Indian Science Congress | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Government distances itself from bizarre comments that drew flak at Indian Science Congress

Jalandhar | ByAnonna Dutt
Jan 06, 2019 11:11 PM IST

India’s principal scientific advisor, professor K VijayRhaghavan, in a blogpost on Saturday night said the government has no role in selecting the speakers and the association has no filter on what scientists say.

The government has distanced itself from the bizarre and unscientific statements that drew flak and ridicule at the ongoing 106th Indian Science Congress in Jalandhar.

The government has distanced itself from the bizarre and unscientific statements that drew flak and ridicule at the ongoing 106th Indian Science Congress in Jalandhar.(HT Photo)
The government has distanced itself from the bizarre and unscientific statements that drew flak and ridicule at the ongoing 106th Indian Science Congress in Jalandhar.(HT Photo)

India’s principal scientific advisor, professor K VijayRhaghavan, in a blogpost on Saturday night said the government has no role in selecting the speakers and the association has no filter on what scientists say.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“The Indian Science Congress Association does get some support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), ISCA raises funds for its activities, such as for the holding of the Congress, from other sources (too). ISCA decides the agenda, the venue and selects the speakers. The government has no role whatsoever in these matters. The organisers rightly don’t have a filter (over what the scientists say) and the government rightly has no role in the matter. The talks, then reflect the speakers,” VijayRaghavan wrote.

This was in response to the controversial statements by Vice Chancellor of the Andhra University G Nageswara Rao that Kauravas were test-tube babies and that Dashavatara (the ten incarnations of lord Vishnu) was a better theory of evolution than Darwin’s natural selection.

His co-speaker, Kannan Jegathala Krishnan, went on to say his theory of fundamental physics was the right one as it could explain both planetary and quantum physics.

He said that space was energy and planetary movement was not because of gravity but the force exerted by the space. Newton, Einstein, Stephen Hawking were all wrong, he said.

The Indian Science Congress is one of the most important annual scientific events, which is always inaugurated by the Prime Minister too.

In his blogpost, Prof VijayRaghavan, said that it was unfortunate that a sitting VC would say something “scientifically completely untenable.” Yet, these were not the “Gorillas in the room. The Gorillas, who deserve to be in #pseudoscience bin are huge, several and freely roaming around.” These are the ones who can influence the scientific policies and can prevent the right thing from being done.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On