Astrology is based on science; the Governor extends support to the curriculum !
A few so-called progressive and atheist factions have opposed to include curriculum on Astrology in the courses taught at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). In this background, a delegation of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) met the State Governor and the Chancellor Hon. Bhagatsingh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on 4th September 2021. The explanation given by the HJS delegation on this issue was patiently heard by the Governor. He said that ‘astrology is not just scripture but it is a science. It is taught all over the world. The Court has underlined the veracity of astrology; then how can anyone oppose it? You continue your work, I will take care of the rest.’ He thus gave assurance and showed his support to teaching astrology. The delegation of HJS comprised of Mr Ramesh Shinde, the national spokesperson of HJS, Dr Uday Dhuri, its Mumbai spokesperson, Mr Balwant Pathak, Mumbai Coordinator of HJS, Mr Pravin Kanvinde, the President of ‘Gaud Saraswat Brahman Temple Trust’, and Mr Prabhakar Bhosale, the Founder-President of ‘Shri Shivakarya Pratishthan’.
The Supreme Court had dismissed the case filed against teaching Astrology as a subject and commented that astrology didn’t become a sham only because a few people had opposed it. Mr Ramesh Shinde handed over a memorandum to the Governor in this context and gave him detailed information on the issue. The Governor was requested on behalf of HJS to continue teaching astrology as a subject at the Indira Gandhi National Open University which received a positive response from the Governor.
Memoranda on other demands like the Government should not encourage immersion of Shri Ganesh idols in artificial water tanks as it is not in conformity with Hindu ‘Dharmashastra’ and the Government should encourage use of Shri Ganesh idols made of clay; besides, the demand of taking action against the organisers of ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’, an anti-Hindu international conference proposed to be held with the purpose of defaming Hindu Dharma; so also against its participants and people who are helping to organise such conference.
Impose ban on idols made of paper pulp and encourage use of clay idols !
The then Government had taken a decision to promote use of idols made with paper pulp claiming it to be eco-friendly, but the idols made of paper pulp cause pollution and were banned in 2016 by ‘the National Green Tribunal’ and bringing stay on the Government’s order of 3.5.2011 issued in this connection. Even then, idols made of paper pulp are available on sale. Ban should, therefore, be imposed on sale of these idols and idols made of clay painted with natural colours should be promoted by the Government. This was another demand made by the delegation meeting the Governor. He has promised to look into the matter.
