A giant leap back

Sir, - The University Grants Commission's decision to start departments of Vedic Astrology in Indian universities (March 28) is seen as yet another attempt to saffronise education. The Indian scientific community has rightly come down on it as a giant leap backwards.

Few can dispute that astrology is based solely on faith and mostly events predicted by it have not come true. A secular government must not spend tax-payers' money in the pursuit of study of a pseudo-science like astrology.

N. K. Suryanarayanan,

Bangalore

Sir, - You have done a signal service to rationalism by projecting the surreptitious circular of the UGC. The main plank of astrology, whether Vedic, Greek or modern (based on the appropriate computer software), comprises the 12 zodiacal constellations - Aries through Pisces - on the stellar curtain, and the apparent creeping of the nine `planets' - Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu - on them. Depending upon the positions of the planets at the time and place of birth of a child, as reflected in the horoscope, the future of the child is foretold by an astrologer. The whole assumption is just flotsam!

First the zodiac, and so the constellation, have no physical existence. Among the nine `planets' who `tell' the astrologer a person's future, the sun is a star. Secondly, the geocentric or the earth-centric system on which ``the ancient science of astrology'' was constructed by the ingenious human mind of those times, is completely a false interpretation of the sun's empire. In reality, the nine genuine planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - revolve around the sun. Man was aware of this fact since the 16th century A.D.. Then where is the ground for any astrology, including Vedic?

Thirdly, the moon is not a planet, but a satellite of the Earth. Fourthly, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto do not find a place in astrology. And finally, Rahu and Ketu have no physical existence.

Astrology is a pseudo-science that wears the mask of astronomy which is a science, and dabbles freely in religious jargon, quotes facilely and shamelessly too from ancient(?) texts, handles dexterously modern gadgets and employs nonchalantly the language of science. As many as 186 leading scientists of the world, of whom 19, including the astrophysicist S. Chandrasekhar, who were Nobel Laureates, have given a statement in 1975 debunking astrology as hogwash. A quote from it: ``Why do people believe in astrology? In these uncertain times, many long for the comfort of having guidance in making decisions. They would like to believe in destiny predetermined by astral forces beyond their control. However, we must all face the world, and we must realise that our future lies in ourselves, and not in the stars.''

The UGC should immediately recall the circular and once for all cancel the present ill-conceived decision.

G. T. Narayana Rao,

Chennai

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