Pujas, Suicides, Crucifixion,Tears: Love for 'Amma' has known no bounds

New Delhi: Large number of AIADMK supporters thronged Apollo Hospitals in Chennai last night following information that ailing Chief Minister and party supremo Jayalaithaa suffered a cardiac arrest after days of showing improvement. Image Courtesy: PTI The past too has proved that Amma’s fans (as she is fondly called by her supporters) are not to be underestimated. Here's a low down of how the leader's fan following is nothing short of a cult in itself! Image Courtesy: PTI

• At least 16 persons were believed to have committed suicide either by setting themselves ablaze or by hanging since AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa was sentenced to a four-year jail term in the disproportionate assets case by a Special Court in Bangalore.

Image Courtesy: PTI

• Police said while a AIADMK worker S. Venkatesan (65) died in hospital after he set himself ablaze by pouring kerosene, three others hanged themselves while another jumped before a speeding bus.
• Ten persons were believed to have suffered cardiac arrest, apparently unable to come to terms with the verdict, while one person died of shock, they said.
• Those who allegedly committed suicide also included two Class XII students who set themselves ablaze in Tirupur.
• AIADMK Chief J Jayalalithaa’s supporter Shihan Hussaini got himself crucified and demanded to reinstate Jayalalithaa as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Six inch iron nails were hammered into the hands and feet of Hussaini. Hussaini was on cross for six minutes and seven seconds ahead of Jayalalithaa's upcoming 67th birthday, demanding her to be made CM again.

Image Courtesy: ANI/Youtube

• In 1992, the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha had a holy dip in the Mahamaham tank located in the town of Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Reportedly, tens of thousands of pilgrims thronged the event and in the heat of the situation, 47 people were crushed to death when a building collapsed. This resulted in a stampede that resulted in another 50 getting injured, reportedly.
• Many women reportedly, have had food from the floor as part of a prayer for the CM's speedy recovery.

Image Courtesy: PTI Present Situation:  Now that, the health of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister stays critical, many women, who gathered near the main gate of the hospital, could be seen praying fervently for the well-being of their "Amma" (mother), as she is fondly known among her supporters.

• “I only hope to hear a good news about Amma's health. Right now, we are very tensed. I got the news about her heart attack one hour back and just arrived here," an AIADMK cadre told PTI.

Image Courtesy: PTI

• Some of the women held photographs of Jayalalithaa and raised slogans "Amma vaazhga, Puratchi thalaivi vaazhga!! (Long live Amma, Long live revolutionary leader)."

Image Courtesy: PTI

• Party workers, who had gathered in large numbers outside the hospital after news of her cardiac arrest broke, braved midnight rains and continued to wait outside, praying for the recovery of 'Amma' (mother), Actor and party supporter, 'Gundu' Kalyanam, said the party workers had faith in the divine power and expressed confidence that Jayalalithaa would recover.

Background: The 68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital for treatment of fever and dehydration on September 22. The doctors later said she needed a longer hospital stay as she was suffering from infection, and put her on respiratory support. Recently Apollo Hospitals Chairman Pratap C. Reddy told media that Jayalalithaa is returning to normalcy, and had been shifted out of Intensive Care Unit as there were no health complications. She could go home whenever she decides to do so, he had said.