Hyderabad, Sept. 7 (The Telegraph): A Telugu Desam MP today questioned Isro scientists' "unscientific" practice of praying at temples before launches, suggesting they were mixing science with religion.

"It's ridiculous that scientists pray with the satellite miniatures in front of god at the Tirupati temple. Is god important or the rocket launch?" Ravindra Babu asked, speaking at a school science fair in Kakinada, his constituency in Andhra Pradesh.

While satellite or launch vehicle miniatures have been brought before Lord Balaji before their launch, some Isro chiefs have also made trips to the shrine after lift-offs in a gesture seen as a sort of thanks-giving.

But an Isro official clarified today the trips were not part of any "policy". "There is no policy on visiting temples. Our scientists, as individuals, are free to visit any place of religious worship they wish to," said the official, asked about the MP's remarks.

Babu also said Ganesh Chaturthi and Diwali increase pollution and called for an end to government-funding of events related to the festivals.

"While crackers cause air and sound pollution, submersion of Ganesh idols pollutes the ground water. The funding of the festivals from government treasury should stop. Governments are facing a cash crunch because of the expenditure on festivals," the MP said.

The 60-year-old had sparked outrage two months ago by declaring on a live TV show that "men were joining the armed forces because of subsidised alcohol and free ration".

Babu apologised after being reprimanded by Desam boss and chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu but was banned by the party from TV shows.

Naidu had also advised his other MPs to "take crash courses in spoken English" before joining TV shows.