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Apex court admits plea against introduction of astrology course

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT.13. The Supreme Court today admitted 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 P. Venkatarama Reddi admitted the SLP observing that it required consideration by this court. The SLP 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, in their writ petition had 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 pseudo science, 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 law or having been made on extraneous considerations.

In their SLP they 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.

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