Chant mantras to avoid heart attacks: Video of Vijay astrologer's viral after OSD row
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay faced a lot of criticism for appointing his personal astrologer, Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as his OSD. The appointment was revoked on Wednesday after backlash.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s former Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, came under fierce criticism after remarks in which he advised followers to chant mantras instead of fearing a heart attack, while claiming astrology could help people overcome illness and even death.
In a video that circulated widely on social media, Vettrivel is heard making assertions about astrology’s role in health and mortality.
"If the doctor says that you will have a heart attack, say Om Surachari Namah. Don't panic. Don't be afraid. There will be a time for that. Even if you have to die, there will be a time for that. I will tell you about that time. I will show you how to overcome that time. Definitely, you can escape from diseases easily. I am sure about that", he is heard saying in the video.
The comments triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and critics, who accused the newly formed government of promoting superstition through a person closely associated with the Chief Minister’s office.
Several questioned the appropriateness of such statements from someone who had recently held an official government position.
The controversy escalated because Vettrivel had only recently been appointed by C Joseph Vijay as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Minister’s office.
The appointment, formalised through a government order issued on Tuesday, took effect immediately. However, within a day, the TVK government revoked the order amid mounting backlash.
An OSD is typically appointed to handle specialised assignments, sensitive projects or administrative responsibilities.
The post carries official status and is funded through the public exchequer, making the appointment politically sensitive.
Critics argued that assigning the role to the Chief Minister’s personal astrologer raised questions about administrative priorities and the use of taxpayer funds.
The issue also exposed early discomfort within the ruling coalition. Although TVK successfully passed the floor test in the Assembly on Wednesday, some alliance partners publicly objected to the decision, saying such appointments could undermine the credibility of the new administration.
Defending the initial move of the OSD appointment, TVK Minister Nirmal Kumar said Vettrivel had been designated in his capacity as a media spokesperson and that his work as an astrologer was part of his personal life.
"He is our media spokesperson. That's why we appointed him. Being Astrologer is his personal life. Anybody can be appointed as OSD," he said.
The revocation marks the first major controversy for Vijay’s government, only days after taking office, and has handed the opposition an early opening to attack the administration’s judgment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s former Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, came under fierce criticism after remarks in which he advised followers to chant mantras instead of fearing a heart attack, while claiming astrology could help people overcome illness and even death.
In a video that circulated widely on social media, Vettrivel is heard making assertions about astrology’s role in health and mortality.
"If the doctor says that you will have a heart attack, say Om Surachari Namah. Don't panic. Don't be afraid. There will be a time for that. Even if you have to die, there will be a time for that. I will tell you about that time. I will show you how to overcome that time. Definitely, you can escape from diseases easily. I am sure about that", he is heard saying in the video.
The comments triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and critics, who accused the newly formed government of promoting superstition through a person closely associated with the Chief Minister’s office.
Several questioned the appropriateness of such statements from someone who had recently held an official government position.
The controversy escalated because Vettrivel had only recently been appointed by C Joseph Vijay as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Minister’s office.
The appointment, formalised through a government order issued on Tuesday, took effect immediately. However, within a day, the TVK government revoked the order amid mounting backlash.
An OSD is typically appointed to handle specialised assignments, sensitive projects or administrative responsibilities.
The post carries official status and is funded through the public exchequer, making the appointment politically sensitive.
Critics argued that assigning the role to the Chief Minister’s personal astrologer raised questions about administrative priorities and the use of taxpayer funds.
The issue also exposed early discomfort within the ruling coalition. Although TVK successfully passed the floor test in the Assembly on Wednesday, some alliance partners publicly objected to the decision, saying such appointments could undermine the credibility of the new administration.
Defending the initial move of the OSD appointment, TVK Minister Nirmal Kumar said Vettrivel had been designated in his capacity as a media spokesperson and that his work as an astrologer was part of his personal life.
"He is our media spokesperson. That's why we appointed him. Being Astrologer is his personal life. Anybody can be appointed as OSD," he said.
The revocation marks the first major controversy for Vijay’s government, only days after taking office, and has handed the opposition an early opening to attack the administration’s judgment.
