Jayalalithaa in MGR Funeral

Jayalalithaa’s proximity to MGR set his coterie and wife Janaki Ramachandran to develop a bitter rivalry against Jaya. When MGR had died in December 1987, left with few supporters, Jayalalithaa was humiliated by the coterie. She was even pushed off the  van in-front of TV cameras. Read about that infamous incident in Jayalalitha’s own words

Video from MGR Funeral :

Excerpts from Jayalalitha’s 1988 interview with IndiaToday magazine :

Q. Can you describe the way you were treated ( by Janaki Ramachandran’s coterie) at the MGR funeral ?

Jayalalithaa : There was mental and physical torture. Seven or eight ladies, I wouldn’t name them, landed up on the morning of the second day, stood by me, and started stamping on my feet, driving their nails into my skin, pinching me, and so on. Except for my face which was spared because it was visible, they attacked me everywhere else. Then, when the body was taken inside Rajaji Hall for the performance of the last rites by the family, I wasn’t allowed there. I didn’t mind that.

Q. But what happened on the gun-carriage ?

Jayalalithaa : I wanted to place a wreath on his body when it was placed on the gun-carriage. The soldiers were kind enough to assist me to do that. I also wanted to join the funeral procession and board the gun-carriage which the soldiers were helping me to do.

“A very small group of people was determined to see that I was nowhere near the body of my beloved leader. I was humiliated right from the word go.”

“When Anna died, MGR was only the treasurer of the DMK, number four in the party. Now without MGR, as party propaganda secretary, I am number five.”
As I was climbing the carriage, I heard shouts behind and saw MLA Dr. K.P. Ramalingam advancing menacingly towards me. Immediately, a young man in a blue shirt, who I was subsequently told was Tamil film actor Deepan, Janaki’s younger brother’s son, jumped on to the gun-carriage, hit me on the forehead and pushed me out. The armed forces personnel tried to help me back on top of the carriage, and again Deepan pushed me, beat me, and threw me out. I was injured and bruised all over my body.

I was disgusted with this uncouth behaviour and the unparliamentary language used by Deepan and Ramalingam. I decided, much against my conscience, not to attend the funeral and came away.