YSR's death triggers shock, 60 end life

One saved; family appeals to people

Distressed by the spate of suicides by the admirers of YSR, his son Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Cuddapah MP and brother Y S Vivekananda Reddy have appealed to the people not to take their lives. “Please be brave. I pray to you not to resort to such things (suicides). His soul will not rest in peace if these continue. He always had a smile on his face and he wanted others too to be happy… you will be hurting him (by your actions) wherever he is,” he said tearfully in a special appeal that was telecast on all Telugu news channels.

While some committed suicide by consuming pesticide, one person even left behind a suicide note. “YSR dedicated his life to people, I am dedicating my life to him,” the youth wrote on a paper.

Yet others died of shock or heart attack on learning of YSR’s death. Several of them died even as they were watching the news coverage on TV. In the coastal district of West Godavari, six people died of shock and four committed suicide. In Hyderabad, 42-year-old Yadgiri died of shock while watching news of YSR’s death on television while M Srinivas, 30, who suffered cardiac arrest was rushed to hospital and saved.

Beneficiaries too

A large number of those who died of shock included supporters of YSR and the beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes. For instance, a physically handicapped couple, who were getting monthly pension under a welfare scheme, attempted suicide by jumping into the Godavari river but were saved by fishermen.

Several more incidents of attempted suicides have been reported. Never before have so many deaths been reported with the death of a political leader.  Not even N T Rama Rao, the most popular leader so far did generate such distress in death. The deaths were reported from 19 out of 23 districts in the state including Guntur, East Godavari, Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Prakasam, Medak, Nalgonda, Karimnagar and Kadapa, according to reports on Telugu television channels.