Chennai: In a dramatic turn of events within 24 hours, the Tamil Nadu government revoked the appointment of astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday, following widespread political backlash. The move came after sharp criticism from opposition parties and even allies of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), who questioned the suitability of an astrologer for an official government role.
Order Revoked
An order issued by the Principal Secretary to the Government on May 13 stated, "The order issued regarding the appointment of Thiru. Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special duty (OSD) to Chief Minister is hereby revoked." Pandit, known both as an astrologer and a TVK spokesperson, had been appointed to the position on Tuesday. He was closely associated with the party leadership during the recent election campaign.
Criticism from Opposition and Allies
The appointment drew strong criticism from several political parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), both of which support the TVK government. CPI state secretary M Veerapandian demanded the appointment be withdrawn, stating, "This was surprising as TVK projected secularism and social justice as its core principles. Vijay is free to hold personal religious beliefs, but a constitutional government founded on secular values should not carry religious or faith-based identifiers in official appointments. Governments are expected to promote scientific temper and rational thinking." He added that appointing an astrologer to an official post could encourage superstitious beliefs among the public.
CPM state secretary P Shanmugam also criticized the move, saying, "Appointing such a person as an officer at government expense will only serve to increase faith in astrology among the people. This is unacceptable."
DMK Leaders Mock Appointment
Earlier in the day, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan mocked the appointment, saying an astrologer's role was limited to making predictions. "Hereafter, the Parliament assembly has no role to play. Only the timing will be given by the astrologers. He is not an official. He needs somebody who can advise him properly as per the rules and as per the government powers. What can an astrologer do? He can predict, that's all. He has more faith in him than his party," Elangovan said. The issue was also raised in the assembly during the floor test of the new government.
Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK) president and MLA Thamimun Ansari said, "Do not include astrology formulas in the government. If they believe personally, it's up to them, no issue, but it should not come in government." Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary and MLA Premalatha Vijayakanth commented, "The appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit as OSD to the Chief Minister is condemnable." Meanwhile, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Rajya Sabha MP IS Inbadurai took a swipe on social media, writing, "The astrologer failed to predict his own fate. Bad days have begun for the Vijay government."
TVK Wins Floor Test
The controversy unfolded on the same day that the TVK government won the floor test in the assembly with the support of 144 MLAs. While the party and its allies had a combined strength of 120 MLAs in the House, the government also secured support from rebel AIADMK legislators.
