Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Scientists and Activists Demand Halt to E20 Rollout, NTA Scrapping
Scientists and activists met in Mumbai during the India March for Science.
They asked the government to pause fuel containing 20% ethanol.
They said the policy needs better environmental study and supporting infrastructure.
They also worried that crops and water could be used for fuel instead of food.
The group wanted the National Testing Agency replaced after exam leaks and NEET protests.
They asked for a law against witch-hunting and fake faith healing.
They wanted more money for education and scientific research.
They also warned about climate change, pollution, deforestation and harm to wildlife.
Scientists and activists urged the government to suspend the E20 ethanol-blended fuel rollout.
The appeal called for scrapping the National Testing Agency after question-paper leaks and NEET protests.
Signatories sought a nationwide anti-black-magic law targeting witch-hunting and fraudulent faith-healing practices.
They demanded education funding of 10% of the Union budget and 30% of state budgets.
The group called for research spending of 3% of GDP, citing environmental and climate concerns.
- Who
- Scientists, academicians and activists, including M S Raghunathan, S G Dani, Aniket Sule, B M Arora, N Krishnan and Anil Kumar Singh.
- What
- They urged the government to halt E20, scrap the National Testing Agency, increase education and research funding, and enact a nationwide anti-black-magic law.
- When
- The joint appeal was issued on a Saturday; the report is dated September 13.
- Where
- Mumbai, during the India March for Science.
- Why
- The group said public policies should be based on scientific evidence and cited concerns about E20, examination problems, pseudoscience, environmental damage and inadequate education and research funding.
- E20 policy
- The group demanded an immediate suspension of the ethanol-blended fuel rollout.
- E20 concerns
- The appeal cited a lack of comprehensive lifecycle environmental assessment and supporting infrastructure, along with possible threats to food security and groundwater.
- Examination agency
- The appeal called for scrapping the National Testing Agency and overhauling the examination framework.
- Education funding
- The group sought at least 10% of the Union budget and 30% of state budgets for education.
- Research funding
- It demanded research spending of at least 3% of GDP, compared with a reported current level below 0.7%.
- Anti-black-magic law
- The signatories urged a stringent central law targeting witch-hunting and fraudulent faith-healing practices.
- Constitutional reference
- The appeal invoked Article 51A(h), concerning the duty to foster scientific temper.
- Campaign slogan
- The organisers used the slogan “Adopt Science, Secure the Future”.
