Know why 'agnostic' Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah is banning astrology shows on TV

Bengaluru: In a stringent and controversial move to tackle 'superstition being propagated by astrologers', Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to impose ban on astrology shows on TV channels.

According to reports, self-proclaimed agnostic – Siddaramaiah – while addressing an event to felicitate a senior Dalit leader in Bengaluru said that people are disillusioned by superestitions and that the situation at his home is no different.

Although the state government had proposed the ban earlier, it was not implemented due to several factors.

It has been observed that live astrology shows generate good revenues for TV channels. Indeed some news channels also run such shows. Besides this, some astrolgers even buy slots to promote their services on TV.

The move by the government was taken due to building pressure from some activists after scholar MM Kalaburgi was killed.