There was a time in 18 th century Europe when fervent encounters used to happen between two broadly defined schools of thought – scientific and traditional – whenever they explained an observation. Origin of species, for example, was tried to be described by both biblical conservative and rational challengers. Former had no dearth of sources – ranging from holy books to their own authoritative fiats, while later just had plane logic. The encounters were frequent, leading to heated debates, ridicule and sometimes violence. For their interests were mutually exclusive a middle-path between them was almost impossible to draw. Middle -path or compromise would mean that science might have to acquiesce to the wishes of tradition, rejecting its own hallmark of rationality. So it never happened. Science remained pristine in its objectives and approaches. And time rewarded it with an increased acceptance throughout the world. But a recent happening in India has marked a rare but unfort...