Top scientists in the country have criticized and condemned Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development Satyapal Singh’s comments wherein the latter had summarily rejected Darwin’s theory of evolution saying it was ‘scientifically wrong’.

Singh’s comments came during his speech while he was taking part at the ‘All India Vaidik Sammelan’ held at Aurangabad in Maharashtra on Saturday.  A former Mumbai Police Commissioner, Singh had stated very clearly that there was no evidence to prove the theory of evolution that man’s origin was a monkey.

Later, speaking to newsmen, Singh further said that there was no historical evidence available to suggest that our ancestors had recorded that they had seen the ‘evolution’ taking place. “This hasn’t been said in any epic, mythological stories, etc. Even stories narrated by our grandmothers didn’t have any such reference. As such, this theory ought to be removed from School textbooks across the country,” he opined.

A joint statement issued by three top Science Academies in the country – the Indian National Science Academy (New Delhi), the Indian Academy of Sciences (Bangalore) and the National Academy of Sciences (Allahabad) - said that there was no scientific basis to back up the Minister’s comments. “Darwin’s evolution theory is well-established and there is no scientific dispute about the basic facts in this theory.  Removing the theory from syllabus in schools would be a backward step,” it said.