23-8-2023 is a red-lettered day in the history of Bharat. The country marked a significant achievement in space exploration as ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission accomplished a successful soft landing of the Vikram Lander on the lunar south pole. As the country rejoiced on this momentous occasion, politicians sent their messages and congratulatory wishes. Here are some reactions that have evoked laughter and questioned the scientific temper of different individuals, be they politicians or media or the layman.

Mamata Banerjee on Chandrayaan-3 landing

A viral video clip featuring West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee claimed that when Rakesh Roshan landed on the Moon, Indira Gandhi asked him how India looked from there. This was likely a conversation between India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, and then-Indian PM Indira Gandhi. Sharma, who had flown in the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 in 1984, was the first Indian to travel to space.

Gandhi asked Sharma how India looked from space, and Sharma replied, “Saare Jahan Se Achcha, Hindustan Hamara.” Banerjee’s statement was a major slipup, as she mistakenly believed Sharma had landed on the Moon, not the Moon.

Ashok Chandna

Rajasthan’s Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Ashok Chandna congratulated India on the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, an unmanned mission guided by ISRO’s Earth-based command and control center. Chandna praised the mission’s success and safety, stating that he saluted all passengers who went on board.

However, Chandna’s gesture of saluting “passengers who went in Chandrayaan” caused a social media storm, with some questioning his scientific temper, while others making fun of his statements. The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which has no passengers, is an unmanned mission, and Chandna’s gesture has caused a stir on social media.

Om Prakash Rajbhar

Uttar Pradesh MLA and SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar’s unusual statement regarding the Chandrayaan-3 mission has gained widespread attention on social media. Rajbhar expressed his gratitude to Indian scientists for their dedicated work and research and congratulated them on Chandrayaan-3’s accomplishment. He also added, “Once they safely return to Earth tomorrow, the entire country should welcome them,”.

As mentioned above, Chandrayaan-3 is an unmanned mission with no astronauts on board. Rajbhar’s statement has sparked humour and ridicule on social media, with many considering it a “gaffe” while some others accused him of lacking knowledge about the mission.

Idris Ali calling Chandrayaan-3 ‘Modi’s stunt’

Trinamool Congress MLA Idris Ali has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Chandrayaan-3 mission in West Bengal, arguing that the mission is a “stunt” and not a significant investment in the development of the poor. Ali questioned the benefits of the mission for the common and poor, suggesting that more universities could be created. Despite his criticism, Ali’s comments have not gained support within his party. The controversy has sparked a row in the region.

Digvijaya Singh

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has claimed that ISRO scientists have not received their salaries for 17 months, following a similar claim debunked by the Government of India Press Information Bureau.

Singh urged the prime minister to take note of the salary disbursal of ISRO scientists, stating that they are proud of their efforts for the successful lunar landing of Chandrayaan 3. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya criticized Singh for peddling fake news on the day ISRO is set to make India proud. Entrepreneur and political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla also made a similar claim on The Ranveer Show podcast, claiming that ISRO scientists were not paid salaries for the last three months.

However, PIB Fact Check later debunked the claim, stating that ISRO scientists receive their salaries on the last day of each month.

Shakti Yadav

Rashtriya Janata Dal spokesperson Shakti Yadav congratulated an entirely different space organisation and scientists for the feat. The reporter asked him for his reaction to the event and what he thought was Prime Minister Modi’s role in it. He said, “I congratulate the NASA scientists for successfully landing Chandrayaan-3. PM doesn’t have a role in this; it is entirely the effort of the scientists.”

ISRO landing is fake – Landing cannot be achieved on moon

A video that has gone viral on social media shows an individual who claims that the landing is fake and that videos of the “alleged” landing have been edited. The person claims that the moon, like the sun, is a source of light. Hence, there cannot be any surface for landing. He compares the moon with a lamp and asks if it is possible to land on a lamp.

Tamil media questions to ISRO scientist from Tamil Nadu

In another video that went viral when the Chandrayaan – 3 mission was launched successfully, Tamil news media personnel interviewed the Program Director of Chandrayaan – 3.

The Tamil media journalists ask the Program Director, how he felt as a Tamilian to which Muthuvel replies saying, “There’s nothing like Tamilian, ISRO is pan India, I am proud of it. Yes I also feel proud as a Tamilian.” The reporter also asked how many people from Tamil Nadu were part of his team, to which he replies saying, “See our centre is a mixture of people from all over the country”.

The video also shows Muthuvel’s father who served as a Railway technician. He says, “The mission has been successful because of God’s blessings. I believe/pray to God and my son also does it without fail. He even went to all the temples before the launch, especially to Tirupati and prayed. So we cannot dismiss the blessings of God.”

This statement is a tight slap to those promoting the atheist and “rational” ideas associated with Dravidian ideologue EV Ramasamy Naicker, commonly referred to as Periyar in the state. EVR is known for propagating atheist beliefs among Hindus and has mocked Hindu religious beliefs as well.