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Disposing of a petition seeking issuance of directions to State authorities to spread awareness that astrology may not be based on any science at all, the Madras High Court on Friday held that matters of this kind cannot be appropriately dealt with in court. “However, at the same time, the State in its parens patriae role may evolve a mechanism where citizens may be better informed and evil practices are given up”, the court said.

Appreciating the petitioner’s efforts, the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice PD Audikesavalu held,

“As much as the petitioner should be lauded for trying to orient citizens to a more scientific regime and shed superstitious beliefs, the court cannot issue any direction of the kind sought and some amount of independence has to be given to the individual to believe, imagine and ponder over the same.”

In his petition, the petitioner, namely A K Hemraj, sought directions to the Tamil Nadu State Government and the Director of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to widely spread public awareness about the scientifically proven truth on the subject of astrology and its serious impacts.

He had averred that in order to reach and educate the poor and innocent parents present in every nook and corner of the state of Tamil Nadu, all Social Medias, TV, Newspapers and all other available means should be used for this purpose, so that the parents do not spoil the career and lives of their innocent children merely on astrological superstition.

He had further urged that such awareness should be spread to educate the innocent child and young couples in their right age, in right manner , about their rights and remedies in choosing their life career and their life partner respectively.

He had contended that also in manner to save such children and young people from becoming culprits, drug addicts and murderers or from committing suicides, getting divorces or from falling prey to psychological disorders, the awareness regarding the unscientific basis of the astrology must be widely spread by the concerned authorities.

Considering the Petitioner’s contentions, who appeared before the court in-person, the court observed that “there are some matters in which exact answers may not be available as the only known intelligent life form in the universe endeavours to grapple with the unknown.”

Though noting that ever since Einstein's theory of relativity, the knowledge in the field of science has increased considerably, the court stated,

“There are several unanswered questions and there is no clue as to the reason for the formation of the universe despite space and time being seen on the same platform and the latest telescopes having taken virtual vision to probably the earliest millionth of the approximately 13.8 billion-year lifetime of the known universe.”

The Court further said,

“The science in respect of the creation of the universe is still in its nascent stage. Not much is yet known of dark matter, not to talk of dark energy and inflation.”

 

Following the same, the court disposed of the petition stating that it did not call for any order.

(Case Title: A K Hemraj v. Government of Tamil Nadu & one other)