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Context:
- A global movement called March for Science was held in different places in the world in April this year and the Indian version was held in some cities on 9th August, 2017.
Reason for the march:
- The call for this march in Indian cities had many problematic assertions.
- The march was justified by pointing out that science in India is facing the danger of being eclipsed by a rising wave of unscientific beliefs and religious bigotry” along with reduction of funding to premier scientific institutions.
- Scientists added that non-scientific ideas are being promoted and suggested that “promoting scientific bent of mind can certainly help improve the social health of our country where incidents of witch hunting, honour killing and mob lynching are reported regularly.
Suggestions by the Scientists:
- The march organisers made four suggestions:
- To allocate a certain percentage of the GDP for science and education,
- To stop propagation of unscientific, obscurantist ideas and religious intolerance,
- Insisted that education should only impart “ideas that are supported by scientific evidence, and finally,
- To enact policies based on evidence-based science.
