It’s my right to question secrecy over treatment to Jayalalithaa: Gautami

Speaking to DTNext, Gautami said, “She was in the hospital for 75 days which is an incredibly long duration. However, the people of the state had no idea on what was transpiring on the hospital premises. She was the serving Chief Minister of a highly progressive state and people here constantly kept raising questions about her health.” 

She also went on to say that a larger section of the public is under the impression that transparency should have been maintained on the late CM’s health condition. The 48-year-old star questioned why nobody was allowed access to her when she was admitted in hospital. Jayalalithaa died on December 5 at the age of 68 following cardiac arrest. She was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on September 22, here after she complained of fever and dehydration. 

“Her demise is all the more tragic and unsettling because of the circumstances over the past few months and the sheer volume of unanswered questions about our late Chief Minister’s hospitalisation, treatment, reported recovery and very sudden passing,” she said. 

“There has been a near total blanketing of information regarding these matters. Nobody had been allowed access to her and many dignitaries who visited her with deep concern were denied an opportunity to convey their wishes in person. Why this secrecy and isolation of a beloved public leader and the head of the Tamil Nadu government? What/whose authority restricted access to the late Chief Minister?” she wrote. 

Gautami said she would like to know the people who were taking all the decisions regarding Jayalalithaa’s treatment. The actor said it’s the right of every Indian citizen to know about their democratically elected leaders. “Who were the concerned persons who were making the decisions about Jayalalithaa’s treatment and care when her health was apparently in such a delicate state? And who is responsible for these answers to the people? These and many other burning questions are being asked by the people of Tamil Nadu and I echo their voice in bringing them to your ears,” she added. “Just because I am a prominent face, this issue is being highlighted. Every common man has this question in his mind.” 

The actress also said that she will remain positive and expects answers for the questions she has raised. “Though I don’t have a specific timeframe in my mind for the response, I am optimistic that my questions will be answered.” Gautami also clarified that there was no political intent behind the query.   “I met our Prime Minister a month ago for Life Again foundation for which he was kind enough to pay attention to the cause. And I have raised this question because he had promised to be there for people at times like these. There is absolutely nothing political about this.”  

On being reminded that there were people who raised such questions only to have it backfire on them, she said, “Why should I be scared? I am a citizen of a democratic nation. I also haven’t mentioned anyone’s name in my blog.”