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The NCERT Reading Material on Chandrayaan has been Chastised for ‘Mixing Science with Mythology’

Controversy surrounds NCERT's Chandrayaan-3 material, accused of glorifying PM Modi over ISRO's scientific achievements.
on Oct 26, 2023

Rationalists and educators argue that the reading material glorifies Prime Minister Narendra Modi rather than ISRO and the contributions of scientists.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) reading material on Chandrayaan-3 for schoolchildren has sparked outrage among rationalists and educators for "mixing science with mythology."

They also claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been exalted in the reading material rather than the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the scientists' contributions. Interestingly, India is referred to as 'Bharat' throughout the 17-page script.

What exactly is the problem?
To raise awareness among students about the success of Chandrayaan-3, NCERT created a special reading module for schoolchildren, which was released on October 17 in New Delhi in the presence of ISRO chairman S. Somanath.

In the introduction to the subject, NCERT quotes the Prime Minister extensively, asking, "Did this scientific feat happen only now? Didn't it happen before? "Didn't anyone think about this in the past?"

"Literature tells us that it can be traced back through Vymaanika Shastra: Science of Aeronautics, which reveals that our country had knowledge of flying vehicles in those days (This book has mind-boggling details of construction, working of engines, and gyroscopic systems)," he continues.

The reading module also tells the mythological story. "The Vedas, India's oldest text, mentions various gods being transported on wheeled chariots drawn by animals, usually horses, but these chariots could also fly." The Rig Veda (verses 1.16.47-48) describes "mechanical birds." There are several references to flying chariots (Rath) and flying vehicles (Vimaan) being utilized in battles and wars." Pushpak Viman, supposed to have been built by Vishwa Karma, is also mentioned in the scripture.

"All gods had their own vehicle, personified as an animal, in which they traveled from one place to another." Earth, heaven, planets, and cosmic destinations known as 'Loks' were among these locations. Such vehicles were claimed to move through space quietly and quietly. The mythical Pushpak Vimaan (literally, the flowered chariot) mentioned in the Ramayana is one such Vimaan. Vishwakarma, the chief architect of gods, fashioned it from the Sun's dust for Brahma. Kuber received it from Brahma. Ravan utilized Lanka as his personal vehicle after he took over from Kuber," it explained.

Why is there opposition?

Educationists and student associations have opposed this reading module, claiming that rather than instilling a scientific mindset in pupils, the Union government was attempting to "impose their saffron ideology" by fusing mythology and science through NCERT.

Niranjanaradhya V.P., a developmental educationist, asked The Hindu: "In the module Prime Minister referred to Vedas and Vimana Shastra for today's achievement." If Indian vedas and mythology did, in fact, have a scientific foundation and technology in the ancient era, why not use that Vimana Shastra to build a spacecraft?... We must look to the future and spread rational, scientific, and critical thinking."

He claimed that the text Vymaanika Shaastra was authored between 1918 and 1923 by scholar Pandit Subbaraya Shastri.

"I can't understand why our Prime Minister was in such a rush to push NCERT to create a special module in the middle of the academic year," he added. Was it to glorify and elevate his image at the expense of the committed scientific community who worked on the Chandrayaan expedition for decades?"
'Ban on scientific research'

"These types of unscientific arguments are the bane of the scientific studies that are actually going on in our country," said Ajay Kamat, Karnataka state secretary of student body AIDSO. Most importantly, it kills pupils' scientific spirit and rational reasoning. As a result, we demand that the NCERT withdraw the reading module immediately. Educationists and science enthusiasts must be wary of the spread of such unscientific and intolerant beliefs, which contradict all scientific spirit and true knowledge."