Scientists, academicians decry Tripura CM's 'internet' comments

Scientists and academicians today expressed outrage over Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb's comments that Internet and satellite communication existed during the time of the Mahabharata, saying the remarks were aimed at undermining scientific temper in the country.

Professor Sonajharia Minz of School of Computer and Systems Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University said the history of Internet started only after 1970s with advent of 1G technology in the 1980s, 2G in 1990s, 3G in 2000s.

"People can make any comments, but it should be corroborated accordingly. If the chief minister has a source to corroborate the statement he made, he should reveal it and educate people," the professor said.

Prof Pradeep Shinde of School of Social Sciences at JNU also slammed Deb for his comments.

"On what basis is he making such a statement? On the one hand we have the prime minister who is talking about development in science and technology, on the other hand, people from his party give credits to such absurd things. There is lot of contradiction. It is mind boggling," he added.

At an event yesterday in Agartala, Deb claimed that the Internet and sophisticated satellite communication system existed in the days of the Mahabharata.

Soumitro Banerjee, scientist with the Indian Institute of Scientific Education and Researcher, Kolkata, also expressed anguish over Deb's comments.

He referred to a march held last week in various parts of the country to decry such comments and promote scientific temper. The 'March For Science' was organised by the scientific community.

"The chief minister's comments justify our march. There was need to propagate the essence of science. Science is nothing without evidence," said Banerjee.

Former ISRO chief G Madhvan Nair termed Deb's remarks as "imagination of faith".

"Suppose, if there was an equipment for Internet during Mahabharata period then there would have been some proof. But such proof is not there," Madhvan said.

Scientist Jayashree Sen, who was also formerly with the AIIMS, dubbed Deb's comments as "meaningless".

"The remarks are totally outrageous and are wasting the media space. One does not have to be a nuclear scientist and even a layman would understand this common sense," she said.

Rajesh Jha, an assistant professor at Delhi University, said, "It's strange how from Newton to Darwin, Wright brothers' plane to now Internet, every scientific theory or invention is today being challenged by those in power in the country without any research or evidence.