Mohan Yadav, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, recently sparked controversy by proposing a shift of the Prime Meridian from Greenwich to Ujjain, citing an ancient Hindu astronomical theory. In a speech condemning what he called rampant “westernization,” Yadav expressed his intent to “correct the time of the globe” and asserted that Ujjain should be recognized as the global Prime Meridian.
Yadav referenced an outdated Hindu belief that Ujjain was once considered India’s central meridian, influencing the nation’s time zones and differences. According to this theory, Ujjain, positioned at the convergence of the Tropic of Cancer and the zero meridian, played a crucial role in determining time. Additionally, the city boasts the oldest observatory in India, built by Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the early 1700s.
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Contrary to this proposal, the internationally recognized Prime Meridian, established by the 1884 convention on meridians, passes through Greenwich. Indian Standard Time (IST) is derived from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, located at 82 degrees 30’E, and is 5.30 hours ahead of Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT).
The Chief Minister, who assumed office on December 11 after the BJP’s victory, criticized the widely accepted notion of midnight and declared his government’s intention to collaborate with scientific minds to challenge the existing global time standard.
Yadav announced plans for research at the Ujjain observatory, involving institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM). He hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take this initiative to a global scale, claiming that neighboring countries, including China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, would support Ujjain’s designation as the central meridian. However, there is no evidence to support such widespread backing.
In his critique of westernization, Yadav also took aim at the Gregorian calendar, suggesting that the Hindu calendar, Vikram Samvat, should be prioritized. He called for a reevaluation of ancient knowledge and urged recognition of Vikram Samvat over the Gregorian Calendar, emphasizing the contributions of renowned mathematician Aryabhatta to aeronautics.
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In conclusion, Yadav’s proposal to shift the Prime Meridian to Ujjain remains a controversial stance with limited international support, and his critique of established global standards, including the Gregorian calendar, reflects a broader sentiment against perceived westernization.