Jyotish at universities in India

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Date:06/05/2004 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2004/05/06/stories/2004050602931400.htm

 

 

National

 

Introduction of Vedic astrology courses in varsities upheld

By Our Legal Correspondent

 

 

NEW DELHI, MAY 5. The Supreme Court today dismissed a special leave petition

(SLP) filed by a scientist and two others challenging the University Grants

Commission's move to introduce `Vedic astrology' (jyotir vigyan) courses in

the

Indian universities.

A Bench, comprising Justice S. Rajendra Babu and Justice G.P. Mathur,

rejected

the SLP which was directed against the April 2001 judgment of the Andhra

Pradesh High Court declining to entertain a writ petition.

The petitioners, P.M. Bhargava, scientist, K. Subash Chandra Reddy and

Chandana

Chakrabarti, had in their writ petition questioned the decision of the UGC

in

according permission to the universities for starting graduate,

post-graduate

and research courses in jyotir vigyan.

They had contended that the guidelines issued by the UGC were totally

irrational, as Vedic astrology could not be held to see the unforeseen.

They submitted that as a pseudoscience, astrology was considered to be

diametrically opposed to the findings and theories of modern Western

science.

The High Court dismissed the petition holding that it could not interfere in

the policy decision of the Government unless it was found to be contrary to

the

law or made on extraneous considerations.

In their SLP, the petitioners contended that the scientific community

considered the action of the respondents in starting the Vedic astrology

course

as a giant leap backwards, undermining whatever scientific credibility the

country had so far achieved. They sought a direction to set aside the

judgment

and a direction to restrain the UGC and other respondents from implementing

the

decision to start the astrology course in Indian universities.

On behalf of the Union Government it was submitted that there was no

compulsion

in taking up the astrology course, which would be only an optional subject.

Even in several Western countries, astrology had been included as a subject

of

study.

The apprehensions of the petitioners were misplaced, the Government said

seeking dismissal of the appeal.

The Supreme Court Bench agreed with the Centre's contention and dismissed

the

SLP.

 

 

 

 

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