Twitter Tries to Figure Out Tripura CM’s Ancient Internet Theory

CM Biplab Kumar Deb claimed that “internet and satellite communication” was present during the Mahabharata period.

At a public function on 17 April in Agartala, Tripura CM Biplab Deb claimed that India was the birthplace of the internet and that its existence in our country could be traced back to the Mahabharata period.

The Europeans and the Americans may claim that it is theirs, but it is actually our technology. Internet has been present in India for over lakhs of years.

Deb

The CM added that it was due to the presence of this “technology” that the blind king Dhritarashtra got updates about the battle of Kurukshetra from Sanjay, whilst both were sitting inside the palace.

The CM’s remarks quickly created enormous buzz on Twitter. While many users resorted to sarcasm and mockery...

Nuclear launches during Mahabharat times. Colorized. pic.twitter.com/ZNPc3viBxH

— Indian Atheists (@IndianAtheists) April 18, 2018

This raises a few questions. Why didn't Abhimanyu ask Quora how to escape the Chakravyuha? Why did Sanjay narrate the Kurukshetra War when Siri could have done it? Also, Krishna really should have streamed the Bhagavad-Gita on Facebook Live. https://t.co/vrauX1UIpZ #Mahabharata

— Audrey Truschke (@AudreyTruschke) April 17, 2018

People watching live Mahabharata fight event on ancient Laptop (827 BCE) pic.twitter.com/zB7i8apiqt

— Limes Of India (@LimesOfIndia) April 18, 2018

The Mahabharata was originally told in a tweet thread. It was Vyasa who put the whole thing on Storify, with the help of Ganesha because, well, we've all been there with helping grandpa with the internet. #InternetMahabharata #Mahabharata

— Audrey Truschke (@AudreyTruschke) April 18, 2018

Of course the internet existed during the Mahabharata era. That Tiimes How handle is the one that posted the “Aswatthama is dead” tweet. And how do you think the Pandavas went incognito in their final year of exile? They deleted their Facebook and protected their twitter account.

— Krish Ashok (@krishashok) April 18, 2018

The Internet existed during the Mahabharata. The biggest issue happened when Yudhistra refused to make Duryodhana group admin in the family WhatsApp group. Now it can be told.

— Naomi Datta (@nowme_datta) April 18, 2018

...others expressed their shock and concern over the situation.

For anyone who had doubts about what the Tripura CM said about internet in the time of the Mahabharata, take a look at the video. He has not been misquoted. https://t.co/5KSrgrumCP

— HindolSengupta (@HindolSengupta) April 18, 2018

This is beyond stupidity. @BJP4India @RSSorg
https://t.co/HMs0iy69nK via @economictimes

— Ranjit Kumar (@RanjitOne) April 17, 2018

This is not even funny any more. This is a serious crisis, some of our leaders seriously propagating myths and perverting edu system which could impact generations of young Indians.

https://t.co/1ut3LLK2vy

— Dr Arvind Mayaram (@MayaramArvind) April 18, 2018

BJPs molestation of science continues! After Gujarat CMs claim missile/rocket tech was pioneered by god Ram another RSS Einstein claims Hindu gods invented satellites.Mahabharata has it all,from Plastic Surgery god to god of genetic engineering to ICBM god https://t.co/rmumoPMXRH

— Arwen (@XarwenundomielX) April 18, 2018

"Internet was there during Mahabharata."
Is Mahabharata a true story ?? :P
I think BJP must recruit some educated people. pic.twitter.com/fzl817hb6b

— Contrarian EPS (@contrarianEPS) April 18, 2018

This is @BjpBiplab. He believes the Internet is an Indian invention & was used during the Mahabharata. He is the CM of Tripura. He is also a @BJP4India member. And an addle-brained dimwit who's responsible for an entire state. This is India today #AccheDinhttps://t.co/2YU1GYwHWQ pic.twitter.com/FpYAyMTOc7

— Danish Aslam (@dan1shaslam) April 18, 2018

Surprisingly(?), there were a few who defended the CM’s comments.

We completely support Tripura CM Biplab Deb for "Internet not new, it existed during the era of Mahabharata ". All recognize power of our vedic science.Even producer of avtar movie was inspired by hindus scripts.
We forgotten so need 2 research our vedic science again
#BiplabDeb pic.twitter.com/ZOiS9bIqBe

— khemchand sharma (@SharmaKhemchand) April 18, 2018

He might have said there was a concept of communication method like modern day internet or Skype in Mahabharata which is infact true... 5000 yrs ago they spoke of idea of visualising from distance place what was happening... https://t.co/IHDnrkWxgS

— Siddarth Pai (@siddarthpaim) April 18, 2018

I am 100% sure that this is a spin and his exact words have been deliberately twisted out of context. They tried it with @myogiadityanath @manoharparrikar @mlkhattar and now, the Tripura CM is the latest. Would request the RW to first confirm what is being said before outraging. https://t.co/kV3LMB7fMC

— Shefali Vaidya (@ShefVaidya) April 18, 2018

Mam with due respect, Tripura CM was questioning that how Sanjay was able to see the Mahabharat from a long distance, was there anything like Internet involved or what?That was his POV but unfortunately media is highlighting a certain portion that is making him a laughing stock.

— Aarundh Chauhan 🇮🇳 (@AarundhChauhan) April 18, 2018

Speaking Of Bizarre Statements:

From Minister of State for Human Resource Development Satyapal Singh stating that the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin is “scientifically wrong”, Chairperson of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) Y Sudershan Rao claiming that Indians used “cosmic weapons and aeroplanes during Mahabharata and Ramayana”, to PM Modi’s remarks on Indians being aware of “genetic science during the Mahabharata”, Indian politicians and their sympathisers have made several statements that leave us unsure whether to laugh or cry.