Parrot's election forecast lands owner in legal trouble, arrested for bird captivity

An astrologer who garnered attention after his parrot predicted a victory for Thankar Bachan, the PMK candidate from Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore LS seat, found himself in legal trouble on Tuesday. He was arrested for keeping the bird in captivity, a move that PMK, a part of the BJP-led NDA, condemned as "height of fascism" in the DMK-governed state.

According to forest ranger J. Ramesh, parrots are classified as "Schedule II species" under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, making their captivity illegal. The forest officials emphasized that Selvaraj, the astrologer, would face a warning and a penalty of up to Rs 10,000.

Selvaraj, the astrologer, had likely not anticipated the ramifications of his parrot's prediction that made headlines on Sunday, foreseeing Bachan's victory. PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss criticized the arrest, labeling it as a "foolish action" by the DMK that showcased their fear of potential defeat.