Some independence has to be given to individuals to believe, imagine: Madras High Court disposes of PIL for awareness against Astrology

Opining that some measure of independence must be left to the individual, the Madras High Court recently declined to issue any directions in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition which called for spreading awareness that astrology was unscientific (AK Hemaraj v. Government of Tamil Nadu and ors)..The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice PD Audikesavalu added that the State may evolve a mechanism to ensure that citizens are better informed so that evil practices are given up. .However, it observed that it would not be appropriate for the Court to issue any directions in the matter, remarking further,"Even science in such regard is not complete or absolute."."No sooner was Pluto relegated from the status of a planet, than a distant planet appears to have been discovered that may not have encircled the Sun in course of the entire duration men have been gazing at the sky. Indeed, there is also much dispute as to whether the planet X, as the distant object is called, was propelled out of the inner solar system or came from a separate solar system and the gravity of the Sun did not let go of it," the Court remarked. .Musing on such larger matters, the Court added that the science with respect to the creation of the universe is still in its nascent stage. Not much is known yet of dark matter and energy. .Even after Einstein's theory of relativity, there are several unanswered questions and there is still no clue as to the reason for the formation of the Universe, "despite space and time being seen on the same platform and the latest telescopes having taken virtual vision to probably the earliest millionth of the approximately 13.8 billion-year lifetime of the known universe," the Court said. ."There are some matters in which exact answers may not be available as the only known intelligent life form in the universe endeavours to grapple with the unknown...As much as the petitioner should be lauded for trying to orient citizens to a more scientific regime and shed superstitious beliefs, the Court cannot issue any direction of the kind sought and some amount of independence has to be given to the individual to believe, imagine and ponder over the same," the Bench proceeded to remark. .Confining itself to these observations, the Court ultimately disposed of the matter. .[Read Order]