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Indian scientists embarrassed after academics at a national science event made bizarre claims like ancient Hindus invented stem cell research

Jan 8, 2019, 10:09 IST

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  • Indian scientists are calling out speakers at the Indian Science Congress for making ‘unscientific and irrational’ claims including using the platform to brush aside Einstein’s theories and claiming that ancient Hindus had invented stem cell research.
  • The remarks were condemned by a group of researchers at the event in Bengaluru, India who held placards to protest against the speakers.
  • The Indian government is also considering to file a formal complaint against the speaker, voicing its objections.
  • The claims made during the event included comments on theoretical physics — including the discoveries from Einstein and Newton to be scientifically wrong.
Several Indian scientists are upset over a string of outlandish claims made by certain speakers during the recent Indian Science Congress with statements like ancient Hindus invented stem cell research and theories by Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton are wrong.

The 106th Indian Science Congress (ISC), which focused on “Future India: Science & Technology”, several prominent Indian scientists and researchers criticized the speakers at the event that used the platform to brush aside Einstein’s discoveries, also claiming that ancient Hindus had originated stem cell research. The protest included students and IT professionals as well.

The event had witnessed representatives from the Akhila Karnataka Vicharavadigala Vedike (Karnataka Rationalists Forum) and Breakthrough Science Society (BSS) holding placards to protest against the speakers.

‘Einstein and Newton are wrong’

The breakthrough claim made during the event included comments on theoretical physics — including the discoveries from Einstein and Newton to be scientifically wrong.
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Not just that, G. Nageshwar Rao, a speaker from Andhra University, also said that Kauravas from Mahabharat were test tube babies, born due to stem cell.

The event also included a statement that Lord Rama used guided missiles — ‘astras’ and ‘shastras’ — to track their targets.

One scientist reportedly suggested that gravitational waves should be called "Narendra Modi Waves."

This is not the first time from our responsible ‘experts’. Last year in 2018, India’s junior education minister, Satyapal Singh, while addressing an engineering award ceremony, reportedly said that the aircrafts were originated from Ramayana. He added that the first working plane was actually made eight years before Wright brothers — who are known to fly the first successful airplane.

The move raised concerns over the claims on ancient inventions. More because, these unscientific claims were made at Children Science Congress section of the event, which majorly comprised of young students and teachers.
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