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Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani's astrologer, Pandit Nathulal Vyas, has spoken. And spoken again. Before the 2014 general elections, the Bhilwara-based jyotishi had reportedly predicted that even if Irani lost the Lok Sabha polls, she would become a minister. Helicopter shot, Mr Vyas.
This Sunday, the astrologer reportedly predicted that Irani would be the country's President one day. One just hopes the astrologer is sure about what he is saying. Many people including me will see the prediction with a great deal of scepticism. I think even Irani should take it with a pinch of salt. I say this because I heard another prediction some 13 years ago, which, if sent to the PMO, may even bring a grin on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's face. I will tell you about that in a while.
Before that, some background and a bit about BJP's romance with astrology. Why only BJP, some may argue. Most politicians believe in astrology. Perhaps. Hear what Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said when a journalist asked him for his views on Irani's visit to Mr Vyas: "I think 80% of politicians approach astrologers and astrologers approach them. So, why do you single out one lady [Irani]? Let her go." Fair enough.
Back to the BJP. In February 2001, when Irani's TV avatar as Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was just nine months old, and she had not even dreamt of joining politics, the University Grants Commission had issued a controversial notification to varsities across the country. It asked the universities to submit proposals about courses in Jyotir Vigyan or Vedic astrology. The Union HRD Minister at that time was senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi.
The UGC had said, "There is an urgent need to rejuvenate the science of Vedic astrology in India, to allow this scientific knowledge to reach to the society at large and to provide opportunities to get this important science even exported to the world."
The note by the UGC had enraged the scientific and mathematical intelligentsia across the country. They saw Joshi's hand in the notification by UGC. People criticised him left, right, centre. Their reactions were acerbic. Very much like that of a Congress leader who said this about Irani: "Someone donning the portfolio of an HRD minister should have abstained from visiting an astrologer to know about the future. If the HRD minister gives importance to destiny rather than labour, the country's youth would be misled."
While the controversy over astrology in universities was raging across the country, a television anchor was debating with various panellists on the subject. Let's just name the journalist and the programme. It was Rajdeep Sardesai. And the programme was The Big Fight. Yes, the same one in which all participants were supposed to stand and fight it out. One of the panelists on the programme that day was an astrologer, who was defending UGC's notification.
Towards the end of the show, Rajdeep asked all participants to give their closing comments. When the astrologer's turn came, the anchor asked him with a smile: "You are supporting astrology. Give us a prediction today."
The astrologer took a deep breath. There was a brief pause. And then he blurted: "Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will die while being in office."
Mr Modi, Ms Irani, are you listening?
