Abandonment of scientific temper in government policy (वैज्ञानिक विचारॉन का सरकारी नीतियों मैं से त्याग)

 This blog takes it's name from the Doordarshan series Turning Point, compered ably by Girish Karnad Turning Point, DD (1990s) Science Video Magazine

Screenshot of a turning point episode on water hyacinth biocontrol by larva introduction with Girish Karnad as the narrator.

But what is scientific temper. India's constitution may be one of the few (also a more modern one amongst democratic republics) to include scientific temper as a goal- Article 51(h) states that it is the goal of the republic [1,2,3]:

"to develop the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reforms"

However, temper itself is translated as क्रोध anger. So what is this scientific temper. And why do I insist on writing about it?

For one as a practising scientist my temper (क्रोध ग़ुस्सा) has increased. The stated goals of the constitution are being violated by politicians and lawmakers left right and centre. Some of it for profit- e.g. selling of gau mutra as a cure for cancer. This is being promoted by Shri Ramkrishna Yadav (श्री रामकृष्ण यादव) also known by his TV name Baba Ram Dev (बाबा राम देव). The use of government machinery by the PM promoting pseudoscience and claiming that it is proven, with no evidence, is scary. And it is going unopposed.

Patanjali yogapeeth inauguration by Shri Narendra D. Modi (३-मई २०१७). He claimed first instance of indian (hindu) cultural/traditional practise being investigated. A lie since even before independence many thinking scientists have tested it. And sometimes found it to be false, or incomplete, and sometimes marvellous and useful. That is evidence-based medicine! And when it was found good, it has been used! That is scientific temper. Based on evidence (सबूत ) not belief (अंधविश्वास ). YouTube link.

References:

[1] CONSTITUTION OF INDIA: FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, ARTICLE 51-A (h), as part of the 42nd constitutional amendment https://jcom.sissa.it/article/pubid/JCOM_2304_2024_Y03/#fn2x0

[2] https://indiankanoon.org/doc/560422/

[3] https://scientifictemper.com/index.php/tst/AandS

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhUPlMuZorQ