Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Flogging the dead: On Jayalalithaa death and the probe panel’s report

Flogging 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 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 (अलगाव, एकांत), former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam laid a precondition (शर्त लगाना) for his coming back to the fold — a probe (जांच करना, परख करना) into Jayalalithaa’s death. The AIADMK’s Edappadi K. Palaniswami found it easy to acquiesce (संतुष्ट होना, मान लेना) as the purported (मुराद, अभिप्राय, मुद्दा) antagonist (प्रतिपक्षी, प्रतिद्वंद्वी) — V.K. Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s aide (सहयोगी, अंगरक्षक) — 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 was when Apollo Hospitals, where Jayalalithaa was treated until her death, claimed the CoI was seeking to fix criminal intent (इरादा) 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, 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 of diseases, for which she was given correct and appropriate treatment, and averred with the final diagnosis.

After umpteen (इसके बावजूद) extensions, the CoI finally submitted its report on August 27. It has recommended that the government conduct an inquiry into the role of a few persons, including Sasikala, who did not depose (निकाल देना, हटाना, गवाही देना) in person before it. Interestingly, the man who was responsible for the CoI, Mr. Panneerselvam too delayed his deposition until March this year, and remained largely non-committal even when he appeared. Evidently, the political advantage the commission provided for the AIADMK had ceased to be relevant. In the interregnum (अंतर्काल, दो शासनों के बीच का काल/ दो राजाए के भीतर समय), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has taken over the reins of the State. To now flog this issue beyond death would be sorely lacking in sagacity, and mark a new low in politicking (राजनीति). The government will do well to put this non-issue to rest once and for all. No political mileage can be squeezed from this report by anyone.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Probe (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - जांच करना, परख करना
English Meaning - To search and explore thoroughly.

2.Isolation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अलगाव, एकांत
English Meaning - Seclusion

3.Precondition (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - शर्त लगाना
English Meaning - To put in a proper or desired condition of mind.

4.Acquiesce (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - संतुष्ट होना, मान लेना
English Meaning - To submit silently or without protest.

5.Purport (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - मुराद, अभिप्राय, मुद्दा
English Meaning - The meaning or sense.

6.Antagonist (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतिपक्षी, प्रतिद्वंद्वी
English Meaning - A person who competes with another person.

7.Aide (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सहयोगी, अंगरक्षक
English Meaning - An assistant or helper.

8.Intent (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - इरादा
English Meaning - Intention or purpose

9.Umpteen (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - इसके बावजूद
English Meaning - Very many.

10.Depose (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - निकाल देना, हटाना, गवाही देना
English Meaning - To testify under oath.

12.Interregnum (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अंतर्काल, दो शासनों के बीच का काल/ दो राजाए के भीतर समय
English Meaning - Any period of freedom from the usual authority.

13.Politicking (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - राजनीति
English Meaning - Activity undertaken for political reasons or otherwise promoting one’s policies.

14.Flogging (Noun)

English Meaning - A beating with a whip or scourge.