Indian scientists and activists demand pause on E20 fuel and anti-black-magic law

During the India March for Science in Mumbai, a coalition of leading scientists and activists released a joint appeal demanding an immediate suspension of the government's E20 fuel program, citing the absence of a comprehensive lifecycle assessment and the risk of depleting groundwater by using water-intensive crops for biofuel. The petition also urged the scrapping of the National Testing Agency, referencing recent question-paper leaks and nationwide NEET protests.

It called for a substantial increase in public spending, proposing at least 10% of the Union budget and 30% of state budgets for education, and a boost of research funding to 3% of GDP. The group linked these policy failures to broader climate threats, including extreme weather and glacier melt, and warned that environmental regulations are being weakened. Additionally, the appeal invoked Article 51A of the Constitution to demand a strict central anti-black-magic law to curb witch-hunting and fraudulent faith-healing practices. Opposition parties, notably the Aam Aadmi Party and Shiv Sena, have also criticized the E20 initiative.