Astrology students to protest KU decision

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 22. Astrologers and astrology students under the banner of the Jyothisha Prachara Sabha, will hold a `prasnam' in front of the Kerala University building on Monday to predict the fortunes of the University for this year, as a mark of protest against the decision of the University Senate not to grant recognition to Astrological and Vedic studies and not to start any courses in these subjects.

In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, Mr. S. S. Kang, the Sabha has stated that the decision of the Senate was "ill- conceived, shortsighted, unilateral and unjustifiable". The memorandum points out that the Kerala University already has a course on Astrology with graduate and post-graduate courses. One person has even received a doctorate on Astrology from the Kerala University.

The memorandum further notes that many universities all over India offer courses in Astrology and Vedic studies. As Astrology and Vedic studies are intimately connected with the lives of ordinary people and the culture of Kerala, the University's decision goes against its avowed intentions of preserving and propagating the culture of Kerala.

The so-called rationalists who have deplored the request from the UGC to start courses on Astrology and Vedic studies are the very people who secretly approach astrologers to find out `muhoorthams' either for filing nominations or for fixing the marriage of their wards.

The Sabha has urged the Governor to pass orders overruling the decision of the Senate and to overrule similar decisions, if passed by other universities in the State.

The Sabha has also formed an action council to press its case and to chart out the further course of action.

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Section  : Southern States
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