JAIPUR: HRD minister Smriti Irani on Sunday visited an astrologer in Rajasthan to know what the future held for her. The visit sparked a debate on whether the Union minister for premier institutions like IITs and IIMs should be promoting scientific thinking or superstition.Irani had visited the Bhilwara-based astrologer Pandit Nathulal Vyas before the 2014 general elections also. It is believed that the astrologer’s earlier predictions about Irani had come true, hence this visit. The elderly pandit has now reportedly predicted that she would be the country’s President one day.The HRD minister was accompanied by her husband Zubin Irani while on a tour of the state on Sunday. The couple, who visited some religious places also, spent nearly four hours at the astrologer’s place in village Karoi in Bhilwara. When Irani returned from his place she was all smiles.The news sparked strong reactions from political parties on Monday.Congress spokeswoman Archana Sharma said, “Though believing in astrology is a personal matter, someone donning the portfolio of an HRD minister should have abstained from visiting an astrologer to know about future. If the HRD minister gives importance to destiny rather than labour, the country’s youth would be misled.”She quipped, “Probably the HRD minister has reached where she is today relying just on fate. She has a reason to rely on fate than merit; hasn’t the PM made her a Union minister despite losing two general elections?” In a sharp remark, Sharma said, “It would have been better if she had continued her education that she left midway.”BJP state spokesperson Kailash Nath Bhatt said, “People should read astrophysics; it is a science. How the movement of nine planets influences our lives is scientifically analyzed.” He stressed, “People who do not understand India and its culture, indulge in such criticism.” At the same time, the party spokesperson said the HRD minister was on a personal visit and should not be targeted for her faith. “Almost every Indian has visited an astrologer at some point or other in her personal life. Why such a fuss on the minister visiting one? Judge her by her work, not by her personal faith.”The HRD minister, on the other hand, skirted the controversy. “I recognize that I bring TRPs (to news channels) and I appreciate your efforts to continue to keep me in headlines,” Irani told reporters on Monday.