HRD Minister's Claim on Hindu Scriptures and Gravity: Fact vs Pseudoscience
Recently, an alarming claim from the HRD (Higher Education) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal that gravity was described in Hindu scriptures has sparked widespread debate and criticism.
Perpetuating National Embarrassment
These ministers seem all too eager to humiliate the nation by peddling baseless claims. For instance, in a recent interview, Mr. Pokhriyal suggested that ancient Hindu scriptures had accurately described the concept of gravity before Sir Isaac Newton did. This statement not only lacks scientific accuracy but also perpetuates baseless pride in Hindu literature.
The Religiosity of Physics vs. Scientific Understanding
One wonders what the motivation for such a claim might be. Is it to assert that Hinduism, or any religion, is superior to others? Or do they believe that such assertions will be accepted by the public, given the ever-increasing influence of religious nationalism? My response: all religions are essentially pieces of mythology, and any attempt to claim historical or scientific accuracy based on religious texts is inherently flawed.
The Foundation of Religion
At the core of any religion, there lies a foundation built on the existence of deities, who, according to many, do not exist. Therefore, the religious texts and their claims about scientific phenomena are rooted in the belief in those deities. But the very essence of scientific understanding is the pursuit of truth through objective observation and experimentation, not through belief in the divine. How are we to take any such claims seriously when they contravene the very principles of science?
Pseudoscience in Indian Politics
It is unfortunate, but not entirely surprising, to see the HRD minister making such pseudoscientific claims. When Mr. Pokhriyal was appointed to the position, many critics highlighted his past assertions of pseudoscience and the controversy surrounding his educational qualifications. Unfortunately, such claims are often celebrated as achievements in some circles rather than viewed as disqualifications.
Historical Context and Accuracy
Mr. Pokhriyal’s claim that the ancient scriptures described gravity is simply not accurate. While the idea of the Earth being a sphere has been known to mankind for millennia, the concept of an attractive gravitational force was a significant scientific breakthrough by Sir Isaac Newton. What Newton identified was the universal nature of gravity and the mathematical formula that governs its force.
It is important to note that while early Indian thinkers and scholars may have had some ideas about gravitational behavior, there is no evidence to support the claim that they made such sophisticated deductions. Pokhriyal’s misunderstanding of the nuances of gravity is clear, and his excitement about mentions of attraction in Indian scriptures is misplaced.
India has a rich history of preliminary ideas in various scientific concepts, but such preliminary ideas should not be exaggerated to claim that modern science in its entirety was present then. The idea that modern science was stolen from ancient Indian scriptures is a dangerous and unfounded claim that distorts historical facts.
Conclusion
The statement made by the HRD minister, while unfortunate, is not entirely unexpected. Those in positions of responsibility should provide accurate and evidence-based information to the public. The prevalence of such claims not only misleads the public but also undermines the scientific community’s efforts to provide accurate and reliable information.
For those interested in a more detailed rebuttal of pseudoscientific claims, please refer to the resources here.