MUMBAI: Astrology has been debunked by most world scientists including India's renowned physicist Prof. Yash Pal. However, it is "science" in India.The Bombay High Court reaffirmed this on Thursday when it dismissed a PIL that had challenged astrology as science.The PIL was filed by an NGO, Janhit Manch that had soughtaction against 'fake' astrologers, tantriks, practitioners of Vastu shastraetc."So far as prayer related to astrology is concerned, the Supreme Court has already considered the issue and ruled that astrology is science. The court had in 2004 also directed the universities to consider if astrology science can be added to the syllabus. The decision of the apex court is binding on this court," observed the judges.The judges also took on recordan affidavit submitted by the Union government. The Centre had in its affidavitstated that astrology is 4000 years old 'trusted science' and the same does notfall under the preview of The Drugs and Megical Remedies Act (ObjectionableAdvertisements) Act, 1954."The said Act does not cover astrology andrelated sciences. Astrology is a trusted science and is being practiced for over4000 years," said an affidavit filed by Dr R Ramakrishna, deputy drug controller(India), west zone."The said Act is aimed at prohibiting misleadingadvertisements relating to drugs and magic remedies. The Act does not cover and/ or relate to astrology and / or allied sciences like Palmistry, Vaastu Shastraetc. In view thereof, a purported ban on practices promoting astrology andrelated sciences sought by the petitioner, which is a time tested science morethan 4000 years old is totally misconceived and unjustifiable," says theaffidavit.The (PIL) filed by Janhit Manch and its convener BhagwanjiRaiyani, along with his associate Dattaram Kumkar, had questioned the validityof predictions by many well-known astrologers.The PIL, which raninto more than 100 pages pointed to several cases, including that of IndiraGandhi and Charan Singh becoming prime ministers, despite opposite predictions.Representing the Union government, advocate Advait Sethna told thecourt that even the SC had accepted that astrology was a science and manyuniversities had included it as a subject.Advocate for Maharashtragovernment, Bharat Mehta too supported the stand taken by the Union government.Mehta submitted an affidavit filed by the food and drugs administration (FDA)department which said that necessary action is being taken against the guiltyunder the Drugs and Megical Remedies Act.The PIL had urged theauthorities to ban articles, advertisements, episodes and practices promotingastrology and its related subjects like vastu, reiki, feng shui, tarot,palmistry, zodiac signs and rashifal.