How Vijay’s astrologer row put highlight on politicians’ ‘star’ connection
From scripted reel heroics carried out with perfection to the unscripted challenges of actual politics, it was baptism by fireplace for C. Joseph Vijay – who bought a style of realpolitik two days into workplace because the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The actor-politician’s first political appointment triggered such a storm that he was compelled to revoke it in a day.Vijay introduced the appointment of Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, his longtime non secular adviser and astrologer, as officer on particular obligation (OSD) on Could 12 and revoked it on Could 13.Apparently, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel’s one-day stint would maybe go down within the document books because the shortest stint for any officer on particular obligation (OSD) in Tamil Nadu chief minister’s workplace. Opposition events accused Vijay of legitimising superstition utilizing taxpayers’ cash, whereas rationalist teams and even sections inside his broader secular assist base questioned how such an appointment matches into Tamil Nadu’s deeply Dravidian political tradition.Paradoxically each – the controversy over appointment after which the abrupt removing – level to political moments not typically seen in politics. Whereas the appointment led to many questioning the political knowledge of the first-time politician, the retreat mirrored his braveness to bow all the way down to public criticism – a trait hardly ever seen in immediately’s politics.
Vijay not the primary
Vijay is just not the primary politician in Tamil Nadu to have an astrologer connection. MGR and his spouse Janaki Ramachandran have been massive on astrology. Jayalalithaa was additionally into prayers, rituals, and astrology. So why did Vijay come within the firing line of not simply his opponents but in addition allies? The reply is: Vijay did what most others averted. “This was a primary for any astrologer to return out within the open and declare he has been advising a chief ministerial aspirant and now the CM,” says political analyst R. Kannan, who has adopted the state’s politics for many years.“Apparently, Vijay’s astrologer was reportedly additionally the astrologer of Jayalalithaa,” he provides. “It’s believed that the ‘auspicious date and time’ for MGR’s swearing-in in 1977 and 1980 have been marked by Vidwan Lakshmanan, his ghost author in addition to an astrologer. Once more in 1984, Cho Ramaswamy reveals that when MGR took significantly sick, his spouse had approached him with MGR’s horoscope to seek the advice of the astrologers he knew and recommendation her if MGR would return from his medical therapy within the US wholesome and can win the polls and return as CM. All three astrologers confirmed to Cho that MGR would return wholesome and be reelected,” Kannan stated.Late J. Jayalalithaa’s political life was deeply intertwined with astrology, rituals and temple ceremonies. In periods of political disaster — particularly corruption instances and electoral uncertainty — studies often emerged of elaborate yajnas, particular pujas and astrological consultations being carried out for her political restoration. “Jayalalithaa was additionally massive on prayers, rituals, and astrology. However neither MGR nor Jayalalithaa mentioned these items in public. Nor did their astrologers,” Kannan stated.
Jayalalitha taking blessings from head priest at Sr Vari Temple. (Photograph by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams)
What does the regulation state?
Was Vijay legally incorrect to nominate his private astrologer as OSD? The reply is “No”.Underneath Article 51A of the Structure, India is a constitutional republic dedicated to scientific mood, humanism with ‘spirit of frequent brotherhood transcending religions, linguistic and regional diversities.’Supreme Court docket lawyer and constitutional knowledgeable Gyanant Singh states appointment of OSD within the chief minister’s workplace is a totally discretionary energy of the chief minister. “So far as regulation is anxious, each state has its personal enterprise tasks and issues based mostly on which the chief minister selects his advisers and his private officers. Personal folks might be made OSD by way of authorities appointment on the pleasure of the minister or the chief minister and might be eliminated at any level,” Gynanant Singh saysExplaining the function of an OSD, Singh stated, “The OSD is mostly appointed to the rank of joint secretary. That goes as per the state finance division and the rank is said within the appointment letter. The appointment letter contains the road that he’ll maintain the rank of an official. The tenure can be on the pleasure of the chief minister however underneath the signature of secretary.
So, why Vijay blinked
In contrast to most political controversies, Vijay’s astrologer row didn’t finish with defiance. It ended with retreat. The reversal was politically hanging as a result of not many politicians immediately accomplish that – regardless of criticism or political assaults. Vijay bought unprecedented assist within the current meeting elections. The youth of Tamil Nadu voted for him in giant numbers. So, when some political opponents questioned the affect this row would have on the children who seemed as much as him, Vijay couldn’t afford to disregard the messaging debate. The actor-politician maybe didn’t need to begin his political innings on a controversial word and that maybe explains why the actor-politician made a hasty retreat. “In relation to Vijay’s case, it has nothing to do with energy as a result of the appointment was very a lot appropriate (not in opposition to regulation). Vijay backed out as he didn’t need public outrage. Typically, politicians don’t go in opposition to public view. So, he could have reversed his determination to make sure that there isn’t a adversarial opinion about him or his appointment. Proper now, folks have faith in him and no matter he does,” stated Gyanant Singh. Whereas Vijay buckled underneath stress of criticism, his counterpart in West Bengal remained unfazed by assaults over his picks regardless of questions by the opposition. Adhikari confronted criticism over appointments of a ballot official, who oversaw the West Bengal meeting elections, and a working journalist into governance-linked roles. Suvendu, nevertheless, caught to his determination. “Within the West Bengal case, it’s once more the chief minister’s private opinion. Legislation permits that as these appointments are on the discretion of the chief minister.”Suvendu, a seasoned politician, did what most others would do. And that’s what maybe makes Vijay’s reversal important. The talk was by no means merely ‘can he legally appoint an astrologer?’ The bigger query was: ‘Ought to taxpayer-funded state places of work be used for appointments rooted in private perception?’ And politically, Vijay appeared to just accept that distinction when he revoked the order.
The hidden affect of astrologers in Indian politics
Behind many public speeches round growth and scientific mood, politics has lengthy maintained a parallel tradition of astrology, numerology, auspicious timings and non secular consultations that cuts throughout ideology, area and occasion strains.The phenomenon predates trendy India itself.When India attained Independence in 1947, even the timing of the switch of energy reportedly grew to become entangled in astrological issues. Some Hindu astrologers had reportedly raised issues about August 15 being astrologically inauspicious. The midnight ceremony was finally seen as a compromise between constitutional process and astrological recommendation, with Rajendra Prasad collaborating in spiritual rituals linked to the transition.Since then, virtually each main section of Indian politics has carried tales of leaders quietly relying on astrologers whereas publicly avoiding acknowledgment.Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was linked to controversial non secular determine Chandraswami, who later emerged as one of the crucial influential godmen in Delhi’s political circles throughout the Eighties and Nineties.Chandraswami’s rise mirrored how non secular advisers might function as shadow political intermediaries. He cultivated relationships not solely with Indian politicians but in addition businessmen, international leaders and bureaucrats. He allotted non secular recommendation to the Sultan of Brunei, Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain, actress Elizabeth Taylor, British premier Margaret Thatcher and arms seller Adnan Khashoggi amongst different well-known figures. Over time, he grew to become related to energy brokering, political networking and affect operations on the highest ranges of presidency.Even leaders identified for administrative sophistication weren’t proof against astrological affect. P. V. Narasimha Rao, credited with launching India’s financial liberalisation, was broadly believed to have consulted astrologers commonly. Rao himself possessed deep data of Hindu philosophy and Sanskrit texts, and political observers typically described him as somebody who blended mental pragmatism with non secular perception.Former prime minister H. D. Deve Gowda has equally lengthy been related to astrology and auspicious timings. Political schedules, oath ceremonies and even journey plans have been typically rumoured to be aligned with astrological consultations.Even within the period of hyper-modern politics and digital governance, such beliefs stay deeply embedded. The inauguration of India’s new Parliament constructing sparked debate not solely over constitutional symbolism but in addition over the selection of ceremonial rituals and auspicious timing. Critics argued that state features more and more appeared intertwined with spiritual and astrological symbolism.
Godman Chandraswami speaks throughout Maha Mastakabhisheka ceremony in Hubli subsequent to Sri Gunadharanandi Maharaj, seer of the Sri Navagraha Teertha in Varoor as then-Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa. (TOI photograph)
From Lalu Prasad Yadav to Digvijay Singh – astrology in politics runs deep
In Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Rashtriya Janata Dal confronted criticism in 2017 after an astrologer appointment within the Chief Minister’s Workplace generated controversy just like Vijay’s episode. Astrologer Shankar Charan Tripathi was appointed because the RJD nationwide spokesperson however was later expelled when he spoke in opposition to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.In Karnataka, B. S. Yediyurappa reportedly altered the spelling of his title to “B.S. Yeddyurappa” based mostly on numerological recommendation, believing the modification would enhance his political fortunes. Such numerological interventions are remarkably frequent in Indian politics, significantly in southern states the place movie and political cultures typically overlap.In Maharashtra, members of the Shiv Sena household have lengthy been related to astrology and non secular symbolism. Bal Thackeray was identified for carrying a number of gemstone rings, which maintain astrological significance. His grandson Aaditya Thackeray additionally attracted consideration after modifying the spelling of his first title from “Aditya” to “Aaditya.”
Lalu Yadav with astrologer Shankar Charan Tripathi. (file photograph)
In Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh overtly spoke about astrology, spirituality and spiritual practices. The tradition extends far past particular person leaders. In Telangana, Ok. Chandrashekar Rao grew to become identified for conducting elaborate spiritual rituals after the formation of the state in 2014. His authorities often organised huge yajnas and temple ceremonies supposedly linked to prosperity and political stability. His son Ok. T. Rama Rao additionally drew public consideration when the occasion altered colors and symbols related to branding selections that critics linked to astrological issues.For all its modernity, electoral sophistication and constitutional language, Indian politics nonetheless stays profoundly formed by religion, symbolism and the assumption that energy is influenced not solely by voters and establishments, but in addition by the celebs.The bond between politicians and astrologers is just not new despite the fact that it’s hardly ever mentioned within the open. Publicly, the politicians communicate the language of governance and growth. Privately, many seek the advice of astrologers earlier than elections, cupboard expansions, oath ceremonies, occasion launches and even crisis-management selections.
