Petitioner Bhagawanji Rayani, who heads the NGO 'Janhit Manch', has also sought details regarding implementation of Drugs and Magic Remedies Act (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
The Bombay high court today sought replies from Union home ministry, Maharashtra Food and Drugs department, and State Director General of Police on a PIL that seeks ban on practise of astrology, Vastu-shastra, gemology, and similar things.
Petitioner Bhagawanji Rayani, who heads the NGO 'Janhit Manch', has also sought details regarding implementation of Drugs and Magic Remedies Act (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
Rayani has made famous astrologer Bejan Daruwala a respondent to his PIL. Other respondents include 'Vastu' consultants Dr Raviraj, Rajesh Shah, Chandrashekhar Guruji; gemologist Bhavik Sanghavi, and one 'Brahmarshi Shri Kumar Swamiji' who allegedly claims to have powers to heal even Swine Flu.
Rayani argued that in compliance of directive principles of the Constitution, which require government to encourage scientific temper, practise of astrology should be banned because it is not a science.
However, advocate Adwait Sethana, for the Union Government, argued that laws such as Magic Remedies Act provide adequate safeguards in this regard. "These things are being practised in India for thousands of years," he said.
However, Rayani said that the fact that astrology is being practised for long doesn't justify its continuation. The lawyer for gemologist Bhavik Sanghvi argued that even the Supreme Court had held in an earlier case that astrology is a science, and could be included in the university curriculum.
Division bench of justice FI Rebello and justice JH Bhatia said that various views were possible on this isse. "But we want to know how many prosecutions have been launched under Magic Remedies Act," the judges said.
Rayani also claimed to have carried out a sting operation, where he visited the ashram of Bramharshi Kumar Swamiji in Mumbai to test latter's claim of having healing powers. Rayani alleges in the petition that these claims were found to be bogus.
However, local police in suburban Andheri took no action upon his complaint of cheating, he says. Adjourning the hearing for four weeks, court sought replies from Union Home ministry and others.
Among other things, Rayani has demanded that astrologers, vastu consultants and others who make unscientific claims must "write in their advertisements that service is only for entertainment and not tried and tested".
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