I have often been accused of saying sensational and outrageous things to get publicity for myself.
I deny this charge, and wish to say the following in my defence :
1. I have a low opinion of those who seek popularity or publicity for themselves. Most of the truly great people, who are my heroes, never sought popularity or publicity for themselves. Did Isaac Newton seek publicity when he wrote and published ' Principia Mathematica ' ? In fact for almost 20 years he did not publish his ideas, until persuaded by Edmond Hailey. Did Charles Darwin seek publicity ? He delayed publication of ' The Origin of the Species ', as he was not totally sure of his conclusions. Did Aryabhatta, Sushruta, Panini, or Ramanujan seek publicity or popularity ? Did George Washinton or Abraham Lincoln seek publicity ? Did Ashoka or Akbar seek publicity for themselves ? Yes, Ashoka sought publicity of his ideas through his Edicts, but that was not for himself but for the welfare of the people
I am nothing compared to these great men. But I believe that the truly great people are wholly or largely indifferent to popularity or publicity for themselves.
2. I have no desire to be sensational or outrageous. Whatever I say is always backed up by reasons. But often my statements do sound sensational because they strike at false convictions among the people which were due to false propaganda over long periods.
For instance, my statement that Gandhi was objectively a British agent ( see my post 'Gandhi-- a British agent ') shocked most people because they had been fed for almost a century on the false propaganda in favour of Gandhi.
Similarly, my statement that there was nothing wrong in eating beef ( most of the world eats it ) shocked most Hindus, as they had been fed for centuries on the false propaganda that the cow is a mother, when in fact it is only an animal.
I have no desire to be sensational or outrageous. But I have an intense desire to be rational, and it is my strong conviction that to progress Indians must develop rational and scientific thinking.
3. I am not in politics, nor do I have any intention of joining it. So for what will I seek publicity or popularity ? Yes, I seek publicity of my ideas, not for any personal gain, but for the upliftment of my people, who are today in a terrible condition
