Aishwarya Rai

A US-Based Hindu reform body has expressed concern at “Astrology-related and similar unscientific rituals” performed by Amitabh Bachchan’s family ahead of the marriage of his son Abhishek with Aishwarya Rai.

in a statement from Troy in Michigan, Navya Shastra strongly disapproved the Manglik-related ceremonies performed by the Bachchan family before and after the couple’s engagement.

“Astrology and similar unscientific practices should be renounced in marital matchmaking and other everyday activities in Hindu society,” said Navya Shastra chairman Jaishree Gopal.

“What concerns us is that millions of people may rationalise their mistreatment of women based upon the Abhishek-Rai example.

“As it is, hundreds of thousands of women- and even some men- have difficulty marrying because of the alleged perniciousness of a random confluence of stars,” Gopal said.

Aishwarya’s Manglik sign (Mars-bearing) is believed to have negative consequences on her impending marriage.

Special pujas were performed at Kashi Vishwanath temple and Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi before the couple’s engagement. After the Big B announced last month that Abhishek and Aishwarya were engaged, the family went to Vindhyavasini temple where Manglik-related ceremonies were performed.

According to Navya Shastra, “These actions will have a unhealthy impact on their (the family’s) fan base and subject brides-to-be to expiation ceremonies”.