In a break from tradition, the Indian Institute of Science Alumni Association (IIScAA), Bengaluru, had scheduled a two-day workshop on ‘Astrology as a Scientific Tool for Individual Progress’ to be held at the IISc campus between November 25 and 26, 2017. Dr. M. S. Rameshaiah, member of IIScAA’s Executive Committee and of the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS), was to conduct and convene the workshop.

As news about the workshop spread on social media, many IISc alumni reacted sharply against using the campus for the purpose as astrology is considered a ‘pseudoscience’.

“People who think astrology is pseudoscience can attend the workshop and decide whether it is science or not science. If somebody claims that astrology is not science, one should not believe it. Check for yourself instead of believing what others say,” Dr. Rameshaiah told The Hindu on October 27, adding, “Using astrology, participants can improve their life and become an astrologer within 24 hours.”

Social media outburst

The push against the workshop was so swift and massive that less than 12 hours after social media shared the news, IIScAAcancelled the workshop on Sunday morning.

“Due to lack of interest and disagreement, the event will not be held. Given the image astrology has in the society, IISc should not get involved,” Dr. M.P. Ravindra, president, IIScAA, told The Hindu.