BSS criticises unscientific claims in NCERT's 'Chandrayan Utsav', calls for withdrawal

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a recent development, the Breakthrough Science Society (BSS) has issued a statement strongly criticising the unscientific claims found in the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) reading module titled "Chandrayan Utsav."

The module in question attempts to draw parallels between the advancement of science and the Vedic period, making claims about flying vehicles and gods' mythical modes of transportation.

The most alarming assertion made in the module is the alleged existence of flying vehicles in ancient India, supported by references to the "Vaimanika Shastra" as scientific evidence.

However, rigorous research conducted by the Aeronautical Department of the Indian Institute of Science has debunked these claims. The module also draws from Vedic literature, suggesting that gods had their own animal-personified vehicles to travel among various cosmic destinations, including Earth and heaven.

In response to these concerns, BSS calls for the immediate withdrawal of the "Bharat’s Expedition to Moon" module and urges the central government to cease the dissemination of mythology as historical fact.

Such claims not only misrepresent India's true contributions to science but also risk misleading the public.

BSS emphasises the government's responsibility, as outlined in Article 51A(h) of the Indian constitution, to promote scientific temper and combat the spread of pseudoscience.