The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– Aug 31, 2022; Day 347

Flogging (to make progress by painful work) the dead: On Jayalalithaa death and the probe panel’s report

The panel of medical experts have put to rest any doubts over Jayalalithaa’s death

Sometimes, only a thin line separates use of power from its misuse. Political calculations, not medical sense or public interest, went into the setting up of the inquiry commission probing (Investigate thoroughly to see if true) the circumstances that led to the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in December 2016. In order to ease the process of re-integrating himself with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) after a period of isolation, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam laid a precondition (A condition that is a prerequisite) for his coming back to the fold — a probe into Jayalalithaa’s death. The AIADMK’s Edappadi K. Palaniswami found it easy to acquiesce (To agree or express agreement) as the purported (planned) antagonist (Someone who offers opposition) — V.K. Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s aide — was a common enemy. Thus, the A. Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was constituted in September 2017. The first sign of trouble in this post mortem deconstruction (a way of understanding how something was created) was when Apollo Hospitals, where Jayalalithaa was treated until her death, claimed the CoI was seeking to fix criminal intent (purpose) on the part of the hospital. The hospital approached the Madras High Court pleading that the CoI was not qualified to inquire into the correctness of treatment meted out (Give or provide in small portions), and went on to suggest, as it did to the CoI in 2018, that a medical board be constituted to assist the judge, but it was rejected. The Supreme Court stayed the proceedings before the CoI in April 2019. In 2021, the Supreme Court favoured the constitution of a medical panel from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, to advise the CoI. This panel submitted its report earlier this month, agreeing with the hospital’s submission that Jayalalithaa had suffered a matrix (A situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form) of diseases, for which she was given correct and appropriate treatment, and averred (A situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form) with the final diagnosis.

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