Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s precarious health has left Chennai anxious. The state’s director general of police asked Chennai’s police teams to be ready to patrol the streets on Monday in full uniform. Paramilitary forces are on standby, and extra security has been rushed to both the hospital, outside of which supporters have gathered, and the chief minister’s residence. But while the 24x7 TV coverage and the drip-drip of news from Apollo make it seem as if the city has shut down, Chennai actually remains calm and is carrying on as usual.

That situation may of course change if news about the chief minister, whose health situation is indeed quite tenous, alters.

Those who were around in 1987 remember the violence that erupted in the aftermath of the death of former chief minister MG Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa’s mentor. But that was nearly 30 years ago, and, for now at least, the city appears to be calm.

The only source of commotion at the moment appears to be around Apollo Hospital, where Jayalalithaa has been lodged since September 22. Google Maps as of 1 pm suggest a little bit of traffic around that area. Most shops around the hospital have shut, and much of the state’s Cabinet has made its way to Apollo, but trade in the rest of the city is carrying on as normal and the bureaucracy is also continuing to operate.

M Balu, an auto driver from Kannagi Nagar in South Chennai, decided to steer clear of the area after hearing that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha was admitted to the Apollo hospital once again.

“There is sure to be a lot of traffic since the police is barricading all surrounding lanes,” said Balu.

Balu was right. Hundreds of policemen had been deployed around the Apollo hospital on Sunday evening after news spread of the Chief minister’s illness. All entrances to the hospital were blocked except the main gate, where the police was carefully screening the entry of the public in an attempt to keep the situation under control.

Balu is aware that in the event of any bad news, there could be violence and chaos on the streets. “But it is only people who are jobless and involved in illegal activities who will create a ruckus by breaking windows of cars and shops,” said Balu. “The people who have true love for Amma would not do so.”

Prepared for trouble

A few streets away, at the Women’s Christian College, students said that although the situation in Chennai seemed normal as of now, they were still keeping their eye out for any possible trouble.

K Sangeetha, a computer science student, said that her parents were scared to let her attend college after watching news channels report about the Chief Minister’s critical condition.

“They were worried that there would be violence on the streets,” she said.

Only at 11.30 am, the students were able to confirm if classes would be conducted that day. “I wasn’t too worried because the situation seemed normal outside,” said Sangeetha. “But now if we receive any bad news, then I will have to go home by a cab and not by bus.”

M Belpat, a student of Mohammed Sathak College in South Chennai said that if anything were to happen to the Chief Minister, there is a chance that all services in the city might come to a halt.

“People will be scared to venture out into the city, so all transport and communication facilities might be hit,” he said.

Many are preparing for that eventuality, although it is yet to happen. Some schools, for example, closed early in the day, as rumours of the Chief Minister’s imminent demise spread.

The US consulate in Chennai also said it was suspending routine appointments and would be operating with reduced staffing for the day. In a statement, the consulate urged Americans to maintain a high level of vigilance.

“U.S. citizens are reminded that even gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.” 

A few services have been hit, including bus services from outside the state, although most public transport within the city was operating as usual. The airport and train stations were also operating on schedule, as of 1 pm.


UPDATE: Later in the evening, after a brief rumour spread by local media that the chief minister had died, residents chose to retreat into their houses and stay away from markets. Shops began shutting down the moment TV channels flashed her death, which as later denied by Apollo Hospital. Arterial roads such as Anna Salai and RK Salai turned completely empty by 7 pm. There was some panic buying at markets, but by and large the city remained peaceful as it waited for further news about Jayalalithaa.