Astrology is an ancient 'science' and cannot be banned, the Union government has said in an affidavit filed in the Bombay high court.
The high court is currently hearing a petition filed in the public interest, which seeks a ban on the practice of astrology, vastu-shastra, etc. It also seeks action against advertisements of astrologers under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
But in an affidavit filed in reply to the petition, Dr R Ramkrishna, deputy drugs controller, government of India, said, "Ban on astrology and related sciences sought by the petitioner, which is a time-tested science more than 4,000 years old, is totally misconceived and unjustifiable".
The affidavit relies on a Supreme Court judgment, which had held that the introduction of a course in astrology did not militate against the concept of secularism enshrined in the Constitution.
Further, the affidavit said, the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act does not cover astrology and related disciplines.
The act can be used only against misleading advertisements relating to drugs and magic remedies, such as an advertisement of a drug assuring the prevention of pregnancy, improvement of sexual power, etc, without any scientific basis.
Petitioner Bhagwanji Rayani has made several well-known practitioners of astrology and vastu-shastra party to the petition. Among them is famous astrologer Bejan Daruwala.
The high court adjourned the hearing till June as several of these astrologers have not yet filed their replies.
