Press Council Chairman Markandey Katju has clarified that his "90% Indians are fools" comment was made to raise awareness about the backwardness prevalent in the society.

"But I want to make it clear that I made that statement not to harm, humiliate or demoralise Indians but to make them conscious of the present backwardness of most (not all) of us," Katju said in an email to a person who had objected to his remarks.

He gave several examples of "foolishness" of the vast majority, which included large followers of 'godmen', casteism in the society, belief in astrology, incidents of honour killing.

"It is only when we get rid of our mental and social backwardness and spread science and the scientific temper to every nook and corner of our country that our people can progress and become truly prosperous," Katju said.