Degrees In Pseudo-Science By R Ramachandran
THE University Grants Commission (UGC) on February 23 wrote to Indian universities announcing its cle
The Commission, according to the letter, had approved the proposal on January 25, based on the report
The Commission, the letter says, approved the guidelines and decided that Vedic Astrology should be gi
PRODUCING IGNORAMUSES
The UGC will set the syllabus. It expects that the course will benefit "students, teachers, professionals fr
Understandably, the proposal
We the
has
members
agitated of
thethe
scientific
Indiancommunity.
scientific community
An appeal tofeel
thethat
UGC
the
signed
proposal
by scb
According to observers, it is one thing to study with academic rigour the place of astrology in the history
PROMOTING OBSCURANTISM
A clamour from astrologers to accord astrology a place among the sciences started some years ago. Th
Consider the following passage from the UGC's letter: "... there is an urgent need to rejuvenate the scien
"Two prominent scientists who are members of the UGC, S.K. Joshi, physicist and a former Director-Gen
When asked about the move, S.K. Joshi said that the manner in which the decision was taken - by const
Guha-Mukherjee refused to discuss the matter with the press and said that what transpires at the meetin
FALSE CLAIM
According to S.K. Joshi,The
the proposal
report of the
relating
committee
to says
Vedic
was
Joshi.
Astrology
notThe
placed
UGC
wasbefore
not
letter,
onthe
the
however,
Commission
agenda
says:
of the
during
"The
June
guideli
the
16,J
Apparently the following arguments were projected in order to push through the proposal.
One, such courses were already being offered by some universities, though not under the UGC system:
Two, Vedic Astrology is being accepted in the West and a study of it is in the same spirit as a study of yo
Three, it will provide fresh avenues for employment.
INTELLECTUAL CONDEMNATION
Yash Pal, the eminent physicist, said rather sardonically:
"
According to the UGC the study of time is best done through Vedic Astrology. At
"
The stated objective is so
," says
shallow
Romila
as toThapar,
be almost
the
How
aeminent
caricature
can any
historian.
educationist
"
seriou
To call astrology 'scientific
sheknowledge'
adds.
and to say that this 'important science needs to be exported to the
According to the UGC guidelines,
If there was
thea proposed
serious interest
departments
," points
in astrology
out Romila
couldthen
seek
Thapar.
the
academic
obviouscollaboration
collaborationwith
would
depn
"
I have no objection to studying
says Yash
the sociology
Pal. "
andThis
the was
anthropology
an important
of the
step
eraininthw
P.K. Srivastava, a Professor
But here
of Physics
it is an and
attempt
director
,"tohe
close
ofsays.
thethe
Centre
" process
for of
Science
inquiry
The UGC
Education
is telling
and
usCommunic
what
says
astro
Sr
Romila Thapar concurs with
Usually
this when
view. "new disciplines are introduced at the university level the req
"
It is surprising that such ,"a says
proposal
Naresh
has Dadich
gone through
of"Should
the Inter-University
thethe
Commission
academicCentre
members
he asks
for
THE BAIT
The guidelines that the UGC has formalised include details of staff requirement (one Professor, one Rea
Says a statement issuedThe
by the
UGC
Democratic
proposal isTeachers
at once ridiculous
Front (DTF),
andDelhi
dangerous.
University:
It is "ridiculous because
"In sharp contrast to the "large-hearted support offered for the course on Vedic Astrology is the step-moth
The scientific academiesCurrent
are contemplating
Science
ways, wrote
to respond
in theto
November
the development.
Current
10, 2000,
Science
The
issue
Astronomical
of
is an
Soc
in
The Stated Objectives
Following are excerpts from the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission for setting up de
"Vedic astrology is not only one of the main subjects of our traditional and classical knowledge but this is
"The distinguishing feature of this subject is that it makes us familiar with time, its nature & feature and it
"It is a common feature that despite best methods adapted for estimation, the events happen in different
"Starting of the courses in Vedic Astrology in universities will not only impart the knowledge of this subjec
(Courtesy FRONTLINE)
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Degrees In Pseudo-Science By R Ramachandran
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