In a letter to Pranab Mukherjee over his decision to return his Padma Bhushan award over raising intolerance, the top Indian scientist PM Bhargava founder-director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), said Ancient Scriptures Imposed No Bar on Eating Beef.
Talking about his decision Mr Bhargav said “rising intolerance such as killing of writers and various bans including beef by BJP government across India compels me to return award.
He also quoted Charaka Samhita, saying: “The flesh of the cow is beneficial for those suffering from the loss of flesh due to disorders caused by an excess of vayu, rhinitis, irregular fever, dry cough, fatigue, and also in cases of excessive appetite resulting from hard manual labour.”
“No one would be more aware than you that, in real, BJP is the political front of RSS, and functions under the leadership of it, that is fully committed to the ideology of Hindutva, which I find divisive, unreasonable and unscientific,” he said.
With an experience over 65 years in the medicine field, the veteran felt that Modi government have less knowledge in the field of science.
He further writes religious beliefs are personal choices and should not interfere in politics.
In his letter, he held BJP and RSS responsible for creating violence and fear among writers, and minorities.
The letter also read,’ Steeped in superstition, unreason and irrationality, much of what RSS and BJP do goes against the grain of scientific temper.’
Even as the award was close to Bhargava, the decision was made considering the socio-politico situation of the nation.
The veteran researcher is one of the scientists who started the online petition, signed by at least 100 senior scientists, addressed to President Pranab Mukhrejee against growing intolerance.