‘Preparing to send spacecraft to moon but falling prey to superstitions’: Maharashtra group seeks action over misinformation about lunar eclipse

The press release read, “A pregnant woman died in Satara three years ago due to following such advice. Despite the fact that many gynaecological associations in the state have repeatedly stated that eclipses have no effect on pregnant women, superstitions about eclipses are being spread continuously on many national channels and social media. On the one hand, our country, which is preparing to send a spacecraft to the moon, is still falling prey to superstitions related to eclipses.”

The organisation further emphasised that a lunar eclipse is a simple astronomical phenomenon and that no new energy or rays are produced in it. It is a shadow that appears after the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are aligned every six months. There is no harm in consuming food, going out, or doing any daily activities like chopping vegetables or using scissors, it said.

“It should be noted that even if a pregnant woman sleeps or sits with her legs crossed or uses a knife or scissors, it does not have any side effects on the foetus. The Supreme Court had ordered the government to take strict action against those spreading misunderstandings and misinformation regarding medical matters, and to implement a mechanism to report such things,” the release added.

The organisation said that unscientific claims spread in connection with pregnant women’s health during eclipses could fall under this category. It also demanded action against those who give advice on the health of pregnant women without any medical degree.