Actress Goutami has written a public letter to Prime Minister Modi about the secrecy that shrouded late Chief Minister’s Jayalalithaa’s health, leading up to her death. Posting on her blog, Goutami shared her grief and shock at the loss of the Tamil Nadu CM and said that the tragedy must not be “deepened by unanswered questions,” and that it would shake people’s faith in the democratic process if they were not kept “aware and informed” about the health of a democratically elected leader.
Jayalalithaa’s team has come under criticism for not sharing pertinent information about the CM’s health with the public. Rumours about the real reason behind Jayalalithaa’s death have continued to fuel outlandish conspiracy theories.
Goutami writes:
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? Who were the concerned persons who were making the decisions about Selvi Dr. J Jayalalithaa ji’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, sir.
Her blog was addressed to PM Narendra Modi. Gautami said she was confident that he shares her “anxiety and determination” to “uphold the rights of every Indian to be aware and informed of any factor that impacts our day to day life”.
Recently, an RTI petition was filed by a Tamil Nadu lawyer, who asked for in-depth report of the circumstances that led to the CM’s death.
