New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has intervened and temporarily halted an unusual decision made by the Allahabad High Court. The high court had directed the Head of the Department of Astrology at Lucknow University to determine whether a woman, who is an alleged victim of rape, possesses the astrological trait of being ‘manglik’ or not. The order was issued on May 23 during the hearing of a bail plea filed by a man accused of raping the woman after making false promises of marriage. The accused’s counsel argued that due to the woman’s ‘manglik’ status, their marriage cannot be solemnized and has been refused.
What does ‘Manglik’ mean?
In Hindu astrology, individuals born under the influence of the planet Mars (mangal) are believed to have “mangal dosha” (affliction) and are referred to as ‘manglik’. There is a superstitious belief among some Hindus that marriages between a Manglik and a non-Manglik are inauspicious and can result in disaster. A vacation bench of the Supreme Court, which took suo motu cognizance of the issue, has stayed the implementation and effect of the high court’s decision. “This court has taken suo motu cognizance of this case, which has been brought before us,” stated a bench headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, which convened on a Saturday, a day when the court is usually closed.
Supreme Court queries HC’s order on submission of ‘kundalis’ by both sides.
The Supreme Court has raised questions about the rationale behind the high court’s request for both parties to submit their horoscopes during the hearing of a bail application. The high court’s order, issued on May 23, stated, “Let the Head of the Department (Astrology Department), Lucknow University, decide whether the girl is manglik or not, and the parties will present their kundalis (horoscopes) to the Head of the Department (Astrology Department), Lucknow University, within ten days from today. The Head of the Department (Astrology Department), Lucknow University, is instructed to submit a report in a sealed cover to this Court within three weeks. This case will be listed on June 26, 2023.” The Supreme Court expressed its confusion over the high court’s decision and its requirement for horoscope submission.