According to the Indian epic Mahabharata, Queen Gandhari, wife of King Dhritarashtra gave birth to one hundred children simultaneously. Referring to this episode of the epic story, Nageshwar Rao the vice-chancellor of Andhra University claimed on Friday that this was possible because India had the knowledge of test-tube babies in those ancient times. Though there is no conclusive evidence about the time of the Indian epic Mahabharata, various estimates put it happening somewhere between 5000 —3000 years BC.
"How can Gandhari give birth to 100 children?" he questions. "Mahabharata says that 100 eggs were fertilised and put into 100 earthen pots. Are they not test tube babies?" he emphasised.
Rao made many more claims on the technical prowess of ancient India. A notable one was on another ancient Indian religious text The Ramayana.
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Social media quickly rose to the occasion and lambasted him. Calling him illiterate, one user, Pradeep tweeted, "The VC of Andhra University is a disgrace and students should boycott such illiterates."
One person remarked sarcastically, "What kind of earthen pot is this guy smoking?"
Sarcastically comparing Rao's 24 aircrafts remark to the ongoing Rafale Fighter Jets deal controversy, one post on Twitter read, "24 type of aircrafts? Can we make him offset partner to manufacture few Rafales for India!"24 type of aircrafts 🤔 can we make him offset partner to manufacture few #Rafales for India.
Here are some other reactions in a similar vein:
Trying to pass mythological tales as "Science" cheapens both faith and science.
Best time to read Arabian Nights than to attend Indian Science Congress.