Science, Religion and Politics in India

When I read articles of the creationism debate in Texas, I get very thankful for the great teachers I had back in India. They belonged to different religions, but never did they mix religion with science. Religion is something that you did in your private life (mostly on Sunday’s; with your parents J).

Why can’t science and religion co-exist peacefully?

In India, it is probably easier to accept differences between science and religion because of economics. To have a successful career it is clear to every parent and teacher that a child needs a strong foundation in science and math (and English). No one wants to mess with these fundamentals otherwise how will the child get the medical, engineering or management degree from the well ranked college?

Does the diversity of religion and languages make Indians more tolerant of others? I think yes, but at the same time I can also think of a lot of examples of intolerance. A loud minority of religious fundamentalists do exist in India also.

Hateful speeches like that of Varun Gandhi’s scare me. It feels weird to associate ‘Gandhi’ with a person who can make such a speech. I was happy to read that he was arrested, but right after that I read that the CBI released a final report on 1984 Sikh riots in March 2009. Report seems to be politically inclined, and CBI has been asked to reinvestigate. So what’s new? Business as usual. Some things just don’t change.

No justice for Godhra riots, none for the Bhopal gas tragedy.

• Why does the investigation and judicial system take so long in India?


• I would like to see media/NGO giving out scores to politicians. These scores would be based on the work they have done as compared to the priorities of the country, their contribution and even their education. Number of criminal cases against them, and acts of hate would go against them. The system needs to be transparent. A voter can see the numerical score of each politician and read the reasoning behind it in detail and with references.


• I would like to see media drop sensationalism and go back to reporting basics, and asking hard questions. India needs a Jon Stewart :)

Like Jaspal Bhatti, I would like all fools to go vote this year! All the intelligent ones have been electing criminals, its time the fools stood up and took charge.



http://www.lead.timesofindia.com/