90 percent of Indians are fools!

Once again, Justice Markandey Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India and former Supreme Court Judge, seems to be playing with fire with his controversial editorial in Indian Express. In his latest article, he has claimed that 90 percent Indians are fools and they are full of casteism, communalism, superstition. He gives the example of Indian Elections to explain his argument. When Indian go to vote in elections, 90 percent of them vote on the basis of caste or community, not the merits of the candidate. That is why candidates with criminal background such as Phoolan Devi gets elected to Parliament. Katju also claims that: almost 90 percent Indians believe in superstitions such as astrology, media has turned the game of Cricket into a relgion, Indian waste their precious time while watching movies and Cricket matches.

Very few people in India, like to talk about poverty, unemployment, malnourishment, price rise, lack of healthcare, education, housing etc. Indian media also sidelines these issues, and gives much more importance to film stars, fashion, cricket, etc. Mr. Katju give examples of Dravid and Tendulkar. He says

When Rahul Dravid retired, the media depicted it as a great misfortune for the country, and when Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th century it was depicted as a great achievement for India. Day after day, the media kept harping on this, whereas the issues of a quarter of a million farmers’ suicides and 47 per cent Indian children being malnourished were sidelined. 

Jutice Katju wants these 90 percent Indian to get rid of casteism, communalism and superstition. Thousands of years ago, India was the leader of the world in science and technology. Especially the period between the 4th century and 6th century was the Golden Age of India because of the large achievements Indians made in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy during the Gupta Empire. The decimal numeral system, including the concept of zero, was invented in India during this period. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors in India. Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, Sushruta, Charaka etc were some of the great scientists of this period.

However, after 1000 A.D we subsequently took the unscientific path of superstition and empty ritual, which has led us to disaster. Today we are far behind US, China, Japan and many european countries in terms of basic amenities and decent living conditions. The politicians, bureaucrats and influential corporate figures are ripping our resources for their personal benefits. The smart IITians and intellectuals are exporting out of the country to work for other developed nations which provide them with better living conditions and more money.

Justice Katju has shown great courage and come out openly with these bold statements. Whatever he said is nothing but the naked truth and that we all have to accept without any hullabaloo. The time has come to introspect, take some lessons from our glorious past, cultivate a scientific outlook and work for the benefit of entire country. Indians are doing great in countries like US, Uk with a culture that is far more distant than their own, then why can’t they prosper in their own home land?