Waythamoorthy was also appointed to the Senate.
"I feel honoured and humbled at the appointment, and on my part will do my best to fulfil my duties," Wayathamoorthy, 46, said.
He said the honour of his appointment belonged to the nation's poor and underclass ethnic Indians, Star quoted the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader as saying.
"We have come a long way in our struggle for our rights and voices to be heard," he said, adding that he would strive to fulfil the demands contained in Hindraf's blue print during his tenure as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's department.
