Even two weeks after the conviction of AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa by a Bangalore special court, the outpouring of grief and sympathy continues in Tamil Nadu.
While some loyalists committed suicide, demanding her release, a few others who attempted suicide are battling for life in hospitals. M. Krishnamurthy, 30, a party worker in Tuticorin district, who set himself ablaze on October 7 demanding her early release, succumbed to burns on Sunday.
Police sources said at least 75 persons had committed suicide since September 27 when the judgment was pronounced in the disproportionate assets case.
At least 17 persons set themselves ablaze, and around 30 consumed poison. Two AIADMK supporters died after throwing themselves before heavy vehicles and three others were drowned. In almost all cases, family and eyewitnesses said the victims were upset at the conviction or denial of bail.
Novel agitationsBesides novel agitations, like tonsuring of heads en masse, performing ‘yagam’ and ‘homam’ and acts of self-mortification in public such as piercing their cheeks with thin rods, party workers are organising fast and using the social media to whip up sympathy for their leader.
