Andhra VC fallout: 37 scientists write to ISC, say Indian science tarnished globally

Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, January 14 

Pseudo-science claims made by Andhra University VC G Nageshwar Rao at the 106th Indian Science Congress have amplified into a letter duel amongst the top scientists of the country. 

As many as 37 top scientists of the country have written to ISCA 2019 general president Manoj Chakrabrti expressing "deep shock" over the "false claims" made at the 106th Indian Science Congress held recently at the Lovely Professional University, claiming these have tarnished Indian science globally, also seeking him to "find out how the speakers were deemed fit" to speak at the Congress. 

Chakrabarti has replied back today stating that the ISCA is deeply concerned and won't tolerate such unscientific claims in the future. Chakrabarti has also stated that he also finds the reportage of the "negative aspect" of the event "unfortunate".   

On January 9, 37 top scientists of the country, including astrophysicist Jayant V Narlikar, molecular biophysicist, Dipankar Chatterji (IISC Bengaluru), Otorhinolaryngologist, Dhrubajyoti Mukhopadhyay, S Mahdevan, Soumitro Banerjee (phsycial science) and others from a host of top scientific institutes - Institute of Physics, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Calcutta University and IIT Bombay wrote to Chakrabarti.

The scientists wrote, "We are deeply shocked and disturbed that false claims based on confusing episodes in mythology and  science, have been made in the 106th Science Congress that too in scientific presentations made to the Children's Science Congress. Such content in the ISC undermines the long scientific tradition of the ISC."

They further write, "Such claims tarnish the image of Indian Science globally and also undermine the credibility of the genuine contributions of the great science personalities of yore, that too in front of young and impressionable minds. Stories of epics are poetic, enjoyable, rich in moral elements and in imagination but are not scientifically constructed or validated."

They further add, "We hope you will find out how the speakers were deemed fit to address the gatherings and we hope stronger steps are planned to ensure that the ISCA actually promotes and advanced the cause of science."

In response to the letter, the ISCA general president today wrote back to the community: "The ISCA is greatly concerned and will not tolerate in the future any unscientific claims at the session." 

Informing scientists of steps taken to allow speakers only on basis of summaries submitted, in future, Chakrabarti while thanking scientists for their concern, ends the letter stating, "Despite having a myriad of scientifically sound inspiring lectures by very well established scientists we find it very painful that part of the media chose to focus only on such lectures. The cynical approach of reporting only the negative of aspect of an event neglecting all the positivity that emitted from the conference, we feel is rather unfortunate, should also be addressed."