P M BHARGAVA Vs. UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The introduction of "Jyotir Vigyan", (Science of Astrology) as a course of study by the University Grants Commission is subject matter of challenge in the present appeal which has been preferred by special leave against the judgment and order dated April 27, 2001 of High Court of Andhra Pradesh.

(2.) A writ petition by way of public interest litigation was filed in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh praying that a writ of mandamus be issued commanding the University Grants Commission not to start and give any funds for Graduate and Post-Graduate Courses (B.Sc. and M. Sc.) in Jyotir Vigyan.

(3.) The petition was preferred by Dr. P. M. Bhargava who was founder Director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular biology, Hyderabad and had received many awards including "Padma Bhushan" in the year 1986 for his research, work and contribution to science. The other petitioners were Prof. K. Subash Chandra Reddy who was Head of Department of Political Science, Osmania University, and Mrs. Chandana Chakrabarti who is a writer and consultant. It was pleaded in the writ petition that the University Grants Commission (for short the UGC) had taken a decision to start and give grants for Graduate and Post Graduate (B. Sc. and M. Sc.) courses in Vedic Astrology called "Jyotir Vigyan" from the year 2001 onwards in various Universities and for teaching such a course posts of one Professor, one Reader, two Lecturers, one Library Attendant and one Computer Operator shall be created for which a non recurring grant of Rs.15 lakhs shall be given to the said department in the Universities. Thus the total expenditure which will be required in starting the course in various universities would run into several crores. The course in Vedic Astrology cannot be termed as a course of scientific study as astrology had never been regarded as a science. Science is defined as knowledge acquired through the use of the scientific methods and the attributes of such knowledge include fallibility, verifiability and repeatability. Scientific truths are not dependant on whims and fancies of individuals. That apart science is international and if and when differences of opinion arise, scientists all over the world work honestly and diligently to resolve them. Astrology cannot be regarded as a science, as it lacks the above mentioned features. It has never been supported by any scientific research or study conducted according to stringent scientific procedure. It was further averred that the proposal to introduce "Jyotir vigyan" is a clear attempt on the part of the respondents to saffronise education and of thrusting their hidden agenda of imposing Hindu values in higher education. It was also pleaded that research in the fields of pure science was being affected for want of funds and therefore there was no justification in spending huge amounts on a pseudo science called Vedic Astrology which is a giant leap backwards.