India, Aug. 29 -- Around 300 faculty members and scientists from institutions across India have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) decision to bar Israel from future participation.

The signatories noted that during the recent IOAA hosted in India and inaugurated by the Prime Minister on August 12, a resolution was passed to exclude Israel. They alleged the move was "orchestrated by a handful of academics" without mandate, consultation or legitimacy, and did not reflect the views of Indian science or align with India's diplomatic priorities.

Calling the decision a "deliberate misuse of an international scientific platform for political ends," th...