A recent attempt to use scientific expertise in a religious ceremony in India has sparked a debate on the role of science and religion in the country. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) was involved in designing a system of lenses and mirrors for the ‘surya tilak’ project in the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, leading to objections from some scientists who argued that it impinged on the commitment to ‘scientific temper.’ While some have argued that the involvement of astrophysicists in a religious event is problematic, others have emphasized the historical accommodative approach of Indian science, citing examples such as the Calendar Reform Committee that sought to put India’s local calendars on a more scientific footing while retaining their Indianness. This debate highlights the unique relationship between science and religion in India and the challenges of navigating these two spheres in a changing society.
