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KOLKATA, INDIA, March 23, 2005: West Bengal’s communist-led government is moving to fight a proliferation of television programs on astrology and feng shui. An assortment of astrologers and soothsayers are seen on Bengali TV channels, and their programs are believed to have a large following. Viewers call into these interactive programs to learn their fate and future. “This hypocrisy has to stop,” said Nisith Adhikary, the law minister of the communist-ruled West Bengal. The programs on astrology were sharply criticized this month after one of the popular hosts asked his followers on TV to confront rationalists and said their leader should be shot. The host was arrested for publicly issuing death threats. The incident prompted the state government to step in. Adhikary has for now urged the TV channels to stop airing programs featuring soothsayers and astrologers. “We are considering whatever legal measures there are to be taken. But we would like the channels to desist from airing such bogus programs,” said Adhikary. Communist government officials say some programs are dangerous because the astrologers say discouraging things about people’s lives and prescribe “medicines and panacea” that have no scientific basis.



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