"It harms animals": PFA advises astrologers to shun publishing horoscopes related to animals in calendars
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 15 2024: The People for Animals (PFA), Manipur has urged astrologers and authorities concerned to shun publishing predictions/horoscopes related to animals in calendars from 2025 onwards.

"Raashi Phal" -- horoscopes which translate meaning of and predict future based on encounters of animals including birds create a negative attitude towards animals, said the PFA in a statement.

Such horoscopes cause people to believe in false information and instill in them fear of certain animals.

Negative and hostile attitudes as a result of such horoscopes harm animals/wildlife including birds, it added.

The PFA said the belief that encountering certain animals, birds causes bad luck harms the animals and ultimately hinders efforts to protect and conserve animals/ wildlife.

Fear of animals, from bees to mice and snakes and certain birds, has threatened their existence.

Bam owls (Kei Maku) will begin breeding in the winter season.

These birds will lay eggs inside and near human dwelling houses.

However, due to fear and wrong beliefs that it brings bad luck, people usually scare them away or even kill the adult birds ultimately harming the eggs and owlets (baby owls), said the PFA.

"The owls which people fear have been adopted by members of the PFA.

We are taking care of the owlets like our children.

These birds have been living among us for more than 13 years." said the PFA.

Urging astrologers and publishers to shun publishing horoscopes based on animal encounter, PFA said the horoscope/information on calendar may be treated as spread of false information and rumour.

The spread of false information and rumour which create fear and panic among the people may attract Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Persons arrested under this Section may be penalised with a jail term of 3 years or a fine, PFA added.

Those who have already printed calendars for the year 2025 will have to shun publication of horoscopes related to animals from 2026.Others which have not yet printed the 2025 calendar should avoid publishing horoscopes related to animals, PFA said.

From 2026, no astrologer or publisher may include horoscopes related to animals.

If any calendar is found publishing horoscopes related to animals, legal action will be taken against the astrologers, data suppliers, publishers, writers and editors concerned, said the PFA.

It also advised people against uploading horoscopes related to animals on Facebook and YouTube.

All videos of horoscopes related to animals must be removed from all social media platforms, added the PFA.

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