Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, claims that India had already conducted a nuclear test centuries ago, and rated astrology as the number one science for the world.
The BJP MP from Haridwar aired his opinions in a debate during the introduction of The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
"Today we are talking about nuclear tests. Lakhs of years ago, Sage Kanad had conducted a nuclear test. Our knowledge and science do not lack anything," Nishank told The Indian Express.
He also shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi's views that Lord Ganesha was an example of plastic surgery being practised in ancient India.
"People are raising questions on Modiji's comments on Ganesha's surgery. It was actually a surgery. The science available to us is not available elsewhere in the world... science or knowledge to transplant a severed head existed only in India," said Nishank, who also claimed that astrology was far ahead of science.
"Jyotish is a science to make calculations lakhs of years in advance. All other sciences have been dwarfed by our ancient astrologers. Astrology is the number one science for the entire world. We should promote the science... I want to say that astrology is the topmost science in the world," said the former Uttarakhand Chief Minister.
He added that there should be a "proper discussion on it (astrology) and it should get the respect it deserves".
The opposition did not take too kindly to Nishank's comments and were up in arms in protest.
