AMMA WON'T STAY IN JAIL, OSCAR WON'T STAY OUT

Oct 29, 2014 How the mighty fall! When I say that I am not just marvelling at their respective falls, I am also wondering at the way they went about it. For instance, in a corruption-ridden country like India, our holier-than-thou Amma went (and promptly came out on bail from) behind bars over a disproportionate assets case. In distant South Africa, also known for the world’s highest crime rate, Oscar Pistorius is incarcerated for shooting and killing his girlfriend. Following are my takes on the two disparate, yet similar incidents. Sometime back, then TN CM J. Jayalalithaa was handed out a jail sentence in a corruption case dating back a decade or so. While it is refreshing to note that our judiciary hasn’t succumbed to Amma’s maternal charm yet, we cannot say the same about the common man. So when she languished in jail, what did Amma’s wards do? Outside the court, as soon as the sentence was handed out, there were hordes of people beating their chests and crying their guts out. While Amma-bashers smirked that professional mourners had been hired by the AIADMK, Amma has already promised a monetary relief (of Rs 3 lac each!) to the families of those who died of ‘shock’ over her sentencing. Before one wonders where the money will come from, let us explain. Obviously, Amma’s coffers must be empty, earning as she was just a rupee a month. However, sources tell us that her coterie has brainstormed and come up with a great revenue-earning idea. Her Poes Gardens’ home will be converted into a museum. On display will be her sari and shoe collections. In addition, her close confidante, Shashikala, will be holding workshops on socially relevant topics like ‘How to live like a Queen on a rupee a month’ and ‘How to make the most of your proximity to the CM’. The workshop is said to cost a fortune but we can confirm that it will all go towards a good cause. All the proceeds, from the museum, the workshops, will also be utilized for legal expenses in the innumerable cases against Amma and her adopted family. Right now, she is out on bail, so she can attend to her other court cases. In a life that’s “dedicated to the welfare of the people”, Amma claims to have been “swimming in a sea of inferno”. But we needn’t fret, as she points out, because ‘divine intervention’ will see her through this ordeal as well. Which makes us wonder, if Gods themselves are helping her out, why are her followers worrying themselves sick? Or when it comes to Amma, they cannot trust Gods either?