When the founder of DMK Mr.
CN Annadurai succumbed to Cancer in 1969 hundreds of thousands of his followers from various parts of Tamilnadu converged to Madras where their leader had breathed his last.
Unable to contain their grief many got hysteric! Quite a few of them in Madras poured kerosene over their bodies and immolated themselves in public! Such incidents started occurring in other parts of the State also.
One does not remember the actual figure now but then it was in hundreds and the newspapers were reporting the toll-figure on a daily basis as they do after a rail accident or natural calamity.
It is important to remember that most political leaders of Tamilnadu had gained popularity via the celluloid world as writers/actors/directors etc.
MG Ramachandran was a philanthropist first and a popular Hero of Tamil movies next.
He had a huge following of his own and his supporters would watch his movies out of sheer love for him repeatedly! When he died also innumerable followers of his unable to control their grief burnt themselves alive! With passage of time this deplorable practice of fans burning themselves alive following the death of their favorite leader became a tradition! During this time a report had also appeared that a poor guy was forcibly pushed into the fire.
According to yet another report the guy had earlier agreed to self-immolate for money but then after having collected the money last minute the poor chap had lost nerve! In short it was the handiwork of the dead hero's enthusiastic followers! (?)
CN Annadurai succumbed to Cancer in 1969 hundreds of thousands of his followers from various parts of Tamilnadu converged to Madras where their leader had breathed his last.
Unable to contain their grief many got hysteric! Quite a few of them in Madras poured kerosene over their bodies and immolated themselves in public! Such incidents started occurring in other parts of the State also.
One does not remember the actual figure now but then it was in hundreds and the newspapers were reporting the toll-figure on a daily basis as they do after a rail accident or natural calamity.
It is important to remember that most political leaders of Tamilnadu had gained popularity via the celluloid world as writers/actors/directors etc.
MG Ramachandran was a philanthropist first and a popular Hero of Tamil movies next.
He had a huge following of his own and his supporters would watch his movies out of sheer love for him repeatedly! When he died also innumerable followers of his unable to control their grief burnt themselves alive! With passage of time this deplorable practice of fans burning themselves alive following the death of their favorite leader became a tradition! During this time a report had also appeared that a poor guy was forcibly pushed into the fire.
According to yet another report the guy had earlier agreed to self-immolate for money but then after having collected the money last minute the poor chap had lost nerve! In short it was the handiwork of the dead hero's enthusiastic followers! (?)