New Delhi: As the controversies over the remarks of minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti refuse to leave the BJP, the ruling party has found itself in yet another embarrassing situation with one of its MPs declaring in the Parliament that "Science is a pygmy compared to astrology."
During a debate in Parliament on Wednesday, BJP MP Ramesh Pokhriyal, a former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand raised a roar of protests as he declared: "Science is a pygmy compared to astrology."
"Today we are talking about nuclear tests. Lakhs of years back, Sage Kanad had conducted a nuclear test. All other sciences have been dwarfed before our ancient astrologers. Astrology is the number one science for the entire world," Mr Pokhriyal shouted over protests against his statement.
Astrology is like astronomy, further claimed the BJP member while making references to traditional practices such as astrology and ayurveda, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that among others, concept of atom, was known centuries ago in India.
He said there should be no mocking of astrology as ayurveda was also treated like that earlier but now it is recognised worldwide. When he remarked that astrology is like astronomy, there were protests from the Opposition benches, mainly Left members.
There was a brief exchange between them on the subject. He was participating in the discussion on 'The School of Planning and Architecture Bill, 2014'.