Political leaders across parties and from all over the country, eminent personalities and thousands of supporters paid tribute to deceased Tamil Nadu chief minister and All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam chief J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday. Thousands of people walked from Rajaji Hall, where her body was kept, to her funeral at MGR Memorial off Chennai’s Marina Beach in the evening.
The AIADMK chief was buried at the memorial alongside her mentor MG Ramachandran. A government official told The Indian Express that Jayalalithaa was being buried, not cremated according to Hindu Brahmin rituals, because she was above any “caste or religious identity”.
Jayalalithaa was declared dead at 11.30 pm on Monday after suffering a cardiac arrest the previous day. She had been hospitalised on September 22 for “fever and dehydration”, and was believed to have recovered significantly when her health declined once again. O Panneerselvam, who had previously held the finance portfolio in the state, was sworn in as chief minister soon after her death.
A seven-day mourning period has been announced in Tamil Nadu, and all schools and colleges will be closed for three days. The Centre declared a day of national mourning, and the Kerala government also announced a three-day mourning period. Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day in her memory and the national flag was flown at half mast.
A look at some of the moments leading to her funeral:
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!