Chennai: Visitors to the Marina on Wednesday were surprised and even amused finding a diehard Jayalalithaa loyalist performing his son's marriage at Amma's memorial.
“Perhaps this is the beginning of this memorial getting the status of a temple, at least for the AIADMK loyalists. It's rather strange because we do not conduct marriage at a burial place”, said a visitor who had taken his family to the beach to enjoy the Onam holiday.
Enquiries revealed that the groom's father Bavanisankar, who has long been a prominent functionary in the MGR Manram, obtained clearance from the government for performing his son's marriage at Amma's memorial. Another party functionary 'Tamilmagan' Hussain had undertaken all the arrangements while former minister Gokula Indira and Poongundram, long-time PA to Amma, were also present at the happy ceremony.
When asked about the rather unusual venue chosen for the solemn occasion of a marriage, Hussain said the groom's father “is a very staunch follower of Amma and insisted that the wedding must be held only at her memorial”. In fact, he had attempted suicide and needed emergency hospitalisation when Jayalalithaa was arrested (1989), said Hussain, himself an ardent Amma fan.
“There is nothing wrong in conducting the marriage of a diehard follower of Amma and the AIADMK. To you and the others, this place might be a mere memorial; but to us, this is a temple and the right place for holding marriage ceremonies”, said another party senior, 'Sathyalaya' P. Ramakrishnan.
