Banning astrology is unjustifiable, centre to HC

Astrology is a “4,000-year old time-tested science” and banning it is unjustifiable, the Central government said in its affidavit that was filed in the Bombay High Court on Wednesday.

Astrology is a “4,000-year old time-tested science” and banning it is unjustifiable, the Central government said in its affidavit that was filed in the Bombay High Court on Wednesday.

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The affidavit was filed in reply to a public interest litigation filed by NGO Janhit Manch questioning the validity of astrology and related sciences. It questioned the validity of predictions by many astrologers, including Bejan Daruwala, and babas such as Brahmarshi Shri Kumar Swami.

It urged authorities to ban articles, advertisements, episodes and practices promoting astrology and related subjects such as vaastu, reiki, feng shui, tarot, palmistry, zodiac signs and rashifal.

The affidavit filed by R. Ramakrishna, deputy drugs controller, (west zone) India, says such practices are not covered under the Drugs and Magical Remedies Act (objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

The affidavit adds: “The Act is aimed at prohibiting misleading advertisements relating to drugs and magic remedies. The Act does not cover and/or relate to astrology and/or allied sciences such as palmistry, vaastu shastra… a purported ban on practices promoting astrology and related sciences… is totally misconceived and unjustifiable.”

Advait Sethna, advocate for the central government, argued the Supreme Court had accepted astrology was a science and many universities included it as a subject. A division bench of Justice F.I. Rebello and Justice Amjad Sayed asked Daruwala and others to file the reply by June 9.

The court refused to accept the affidavit filed by Daruwala’s advocate on his behalf and directed him to file personal affidavit.