The following of ‘Amma’: From rituals to vigils, TN prays for CM Jaya’s health

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa commands wild popularity in the state and has achieved a cult status among her millions of followers, especially the rural poor, who don’t flinch from even laying down their lives for ‘Thalaivi’. A look at how they are willing for her recovery after a cardiac arrest.

Thousands of followers of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa have gathered outside Chennai’s Apollo Hospital since Sunday evening when their beloved ‘Amma’ suffered a cardiac arrest.

A supporter of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa prays for her well being outside the Apollo hospital where she is being treated in Chennai. (AFP File Photo)

The 68-year-old leader commands wild popularity in the state and has achieved a cult status among her millions of followers, especially the rural poor, who don’t flinch from even laying down their lives for ‘Thalaivi’.

When she was first admitted to hospital with complaints of high fever in September, her fans conducted hundreds of public prayers and pujas for her quick recovery. Here’s a look at what her followers have done in the past.

1. Occupying Apollo Hospital

For the past two months, Greams Road and Greams Lane have seen a flurry of activity, with supporters initially gathering outside of Apollo Hospital to pray for Jayalalithaa. The number had considerably dwindled last month but has swelled again since Sunday with thousands of AIADMK cadre and supporters maintaining a vigil.

Read | Heart, lung docs flown in, surgery done: 10 updates on Jayalalithaa’s health

2. Public pujas

AIADMK members have set up a puja pandal in front of Apollo hospital, where chief minister J Jayalalithaa has been undergoing treatment for two months, to pray for her recovery, in Chennai. (PTI File Photo)

Public pujas have been held since Day One for the ailing CM, with party MLAs across Tamil Nadu using temples to show their devotion for Jayalalithaa. It’s not confined to one religion either: Her Muslims supporters also prayed for her.

3. Self-immolation

On Monday, an AIADMK member from Cuddalore district died after hearing news of Jayalalithaa’s health condition, ANI reported. A cadre worker attempted self-immolation in Virudhachalam of coastal Cuddalore district in October, sustaining 30% burn injuries. In September, a former police constable and die-hard AIADMK supporter in Salem also attempted to set himself on fire.

Read | How is Jayalalithaa? 10 things we know so far about Tamil Nadu CM’s health

4. Heights of devotion

A man suspended himself from a crane using hooks pierced into his back on October 3, 2016 as a ritual for the well-being of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, who has in the hospital for more than two months. Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest on December 4, 2016, worsening fears over her failing health. (AFP)

While public prayer sessions for an ailing Amma have been regularly held across Chennai, a procession in her constituency of RK Nagar in October saw something a little more different. Hundreds of workers assembled with pails of milk, with one hanging himself from a crane, piercing his skin with thick hooks — an act usually done in devotion to Lord Murugan.

5. Support from all ages

Even children weren’t spared from the excesses of Jayalalithaa’s supporters, with multiple images of young girls and boys with their cheeks pierced with arrows (again, a common practice among Murugan supporters) being circulated across regional media.

This hasn’t gone unnoticed, however. PMK leader S Ramadoss said it was “a human rights violation”. “There were more than 20 children, from 5 to 12, who had their cheeks pierced. Children cannot be forced to do such things,” he said.

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