The HRD minister thinks theory of evolution is wrong; public reacts vehemently: Is the uproar justified?

By Tushar Singh

On 20th January, Minister of State (MoS) for Human Resource Development (HRD) [appointed only last year] Satyapal Singh during a conference on Hindu texts, said that Darwin’s theory of evolution was wrong as our ancestors have nowhere mentioned seeing an ape turning into a man. He went on to say that, “Darwin’s theory is scientifically wrong. It needs to change in school and college curriculum. Since the man is seen on Earth he has always been a man.”

Backlash or ‘overreaction’?

Ever since Satyapal made these remarks, the intellectual space, instead of rebutting his arguments and encouraging a healthy debate, have reacted rather violently and even ridiculed the MoS. Scientists from across India have outrightly refuted his claims and laid down the scientific proofs for the same. They say it is a “retrograde step” to remove the teaching of the theory of evolution from school.

While Satyapal’s statements at the onset might sound outrageous, the amount of ridicule he has received is only testimony to the fact that instead of welcoming ‘absurd’ opinions and thinking over them, we almost always give in to the herd mentality and join the crowd in blabbering whatever “widely accepted” norms we have been instructed to blabber by the society.

Clarifying the debate

We are debating the “Theory” of Evolution and not the “Law” of evolution. There is a difference.  A theory may become obsolete with time and be replaced by another one. A law, however, is a universally observable fact. It is undeniable and never fades away with time. While Darwin’s theory is widely accepted, there is no guarantee that it is the ultimate truth. Even Karan Thapar, while arguing for Satyapal’s removal from the HRD ministry in a column, gives in to the fact that Darwin’s “theory does not fully explain all of the complexities of life”. In other words, evolution is not disputed but it doesn’t provide answers to everything.

Therefore, while this article in no way intends to prove the great Darwin wrong, it simply tries to stand in favour of a healthy discussion between Pro-Darwinians and the Skeptics, instead of complete negation of any view which challenges the existing norm.

Secondly, it must be noted that Satyapal Singh does not lack credibility at all. Even though attempts have been made to paint him as a “blind know-nothing Sanghi”, he is a former IPS officer, has an M.Sc and M.Phil in Chemistry from Delhi University, an MBA degree in Strategic Management from Australia, and an M.A in Public Administration, including a PhD on the Naxalite movement. He is also a former Commissioner of Mumbai Police. Satyapal has defended himself making it clear that he was not someone from a “humanities background”.

Need to fight prevalent dogmas

While supporting Satyapal in making his views clear on Darwin’s theory, it must be noted that it was premature of the HRD MoS that Darwin’s theory should be removed from the school and college curriculum, because just like Darwin and his followers, even Satyapal’s theory (or the negation of it) has not been 100% proved. Instead, he should have talked about encouraging research which looks into the pros and cons of Darwin’s theory and looks for alternatives if possible (India has not contributed to any major scientific breakthrough for a long time). He could have also talked about devising a curriculum which, instead of giving in to the inevitability of Darwin’s theory, would talk about the general acceptability of Darwin and its loopholes, in order to encourage creative and curious minds, instead of whitewashed ones (no matter who is whitewashing the brain). In fact, he made similar comments last year when he mentioned that Indian students should be taught about Shivakar Babuji Talpade, who, according to many sources, invented the plane eight years before the Wright Brothers. Satypal is right to push for a curriculum which questions the historical narrative provided to us by the very same people who colonised us and did not want us to know of our achievements for the fear of a rebellion due to a rise in our self-esteem.

Indian elites and lack of will to question

Attempts have also been made to categorise this statement by Satyapal Singh into the many outrageous claims that have been made by many high profile right winged politicians in the past. While the Scientific Community is right to be worried about the rise of pseudoscience in the country, Satyapal’s statements are different from previous comments like “Cows exhale oxygen” (made by a Rajasthan High Court judge) and “Sage Kannada conducting a nuclear test.” These comments are scientific claims based on mythology and beliefs, while Satyapal’s statement is a mere questioning of a ‘theory’.

Many opportunists have also criticised Satyapal by saying that religion puts a blindfold on the scientific mind. It is funny how the progression of the nine Avatars of Vishnu—the first Avatar of Vishnu was Matsya, and the following Avatars were land animals and finally human beings—are in sync with the theory of evolution.

To conclude, it must be said that there is nothing wrong with being wrong. Nothing is outrageous in science because science itself is outrageous.  Remember, the idea of the Earth being round was also once considered absurd and outrageous, albeit for different reasons. The human mind has been and will probably always be too small to capture the complexities of life. The quest to find the purpose of existence of our very selves is our only nemesis.  All ideas must be accepted, and none should be forced upon us until they are scientifically proven.

Featured image source: Wikimedia Commons