Hindu claims embarrass science conference

The organisers of a major Indian science conference distanced themselves on Sunday from speakers who used the prestigious event to dismiss Einstein’s discoveries and claim that ancient Hindus invented stem cell research.

The Indian Scientific Congress Association expressed “serious concern” as the unorthodox remarks aired by prominent academics at its annual conference attracted condemnation and ridicule.

The distinguished gathering of Indian researchers and scientists hosts Nobel laureates, but in recent years has seen Hindu mythology and faithbased theories edging onto the agenda.

At this year’s congress, the head of a southern Indian university cited an ancient Hindu text as “proof” that stem cell research was discovered on the subcontinent thousands of years ago.

“We had 100 Kauravas from one mother because of stem cell and test tube technology,” Andhra University vice-chancellor G Nageshwar Rao said.

He was referring to a story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Event organisers tried to water down the remarks, saying it was “unfortunate” that the prestigious event had been derailed by controversy.

Indian Scientific Congress Association general secretary Premendu P Mathur said: “We don’t subscribe to their views, and distance ourselves from their comments. This is unfortunate.” –