Death and state funeral of J. Jayalalithaa

On 22 September 2016, Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai at around 22:25 IST at night, reportedly suffering from an infection and acute dehydration. Her official duties were handed over to her minister O. Panneerselvam on 12 October 2016, though she continued to remain as the chief minister of the state. She was also said to be suffering from a severe pulmonary infection and septicaemia, which were cured. On 19 November 2016, she was shifted from the ICU to a private room in the normal ward of Apollo Hospital after nearly two months of treatment. On 4 December 2016, she was re-admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering a cardiac arrest around 16:45 on the evening. The hospital released a press statement stating that her condition was "very critical" and that she was on life support. ==Death and national mourning==

Death and announcement issued for J Jayalalithaa On 6 December 2016 at around 0:15 IST, the hospital officially announced that she had died at 23:30 (5 December 2016) and she became the first female chief minister to die in office in India. announced that the national flag would fly half-mast for one day in the capitals of all Indian states and union territories, including Delhi, as a mark of respect on her demise Government of India declared a one-day national mourning with the national flag in all government buildings flying at half-mast. and the Government of Puducherry. One day state mourning on 6 December 2016 was observed by Government of Karnataka,Government of Bihar,Government of West Bengal,Government of Punjab,Government of Uttarakhand Lying-in-state Her body was kept in state at her residence Veda Nilayam in Poes Garden until the wee hours of 6 December 2016 and later at Rajaji Hall for public to pay their tribute. ==State funeral==

On the evening of 6 December 2016, the glass casket carrying her mortal remains was taken in an army truck bedecked with flowers from Rajaji Hall to M.G.R. Memorial for a long grand public procession. Around one million people paid an emotional farewell to her. Late Jayalalithaa's body was draped in her favourite green coloured silk saree though with a red border and adorned with a diamond-studded gold dollar chain, diamond earrings, a black-strap wristwatch on her left wrist, one diamond ring on each hand, and a golden bangle on her right hand, and kept inside a sandalwood coffin engraved with the words "Puratchi Thalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa" (Eternal Leader Miss J Jayalalithaa). Her long-time aide V. K. Sasikala carried out the last rites, sprinkling rose petals, milk and holy water. Just after sunset, Jayalalithaa was buried wearing her iconic black-strap watch, into the ground at the northern end of Marina Beach in Chennai, near the grave of her mentor and the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. G. Ramachandran at the M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa memorial complex. ==Reactions==

India : • President Pranab Mukherjee Condoled and paid last tributes on her demise, Stating:"Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Ms. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. One of India's most charismatic & popular leaders, Ms. Jayalalithaa was a visionary & able administrator". • Vice President Hamid Ansari said: "Jayalalithaa's demise is an irreparable loss to the people of India". • Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolence and tweeted that "Jayalalithaa ji's connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration". Indian States • Tamil Nadu • Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao said: "Deeply shocked and sad. People's Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu". • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: "Popular, strong, bold, efficient, people- friendly, charismatic leader, Amma. Always at the heart of people. Big loss. I am shocked, saddened." • Kerala • Governor P. Sathasivam said: "She was the greatest woman political leader in contemporary India. In her we saw the perfect blending of the strong will of an able administrator and the compassion of a philanthropist. In her sad demise, we have lost a unique mother's touch that had brightened the lives of millions of people during the last three decades." • Puducherry • Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi said : "Ms. Jayalalithaa was a rare political personality who charted a distinct path of governance through her strong and able leadership. She was a multi faceted personality. the departed leader had always carved a niche for herself in all walks of life, be it as a student excelling in academics, be it as an artist, as a versatile actor and culminating in politics as a leader of the masses and eliteMs. Jayalalithaa had been a symbol of women empowerment and always had her heart for the cause of women. People of Puducherry shared the sorrow of the loss along with the people of Tamil Nadu". • : • French Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler condoled her death and stating that "On behalf of France, I express my heartfelt condolences on the demise of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was a prominent leader who was loved and admired by millions. My thoughts and sympathy go out to her near and dear ones and the grief-stricken people of Tamil Nadu and India". • : • Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel issued a statement of condolence: "On behalf of the High Commission of Canada, I am deeply saddened by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's passing and I extend my sincere condolences to her family, and to the people of Tamil Nadu.Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and her valuable contributions to the people, development and progress of Tamil Nadu will not be forgotten". • : • Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal sent separate messages of condolence to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the passing away of The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa and through them to the bereaved family members. • : • Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali signed the condolence book at Dhaka on the demise of Jayalalithaa, by stating that "We express our deep condolences on the sad demise of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Selvi J Jayalalithaa. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu at this hour of grief". • : • Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his condolences and stating that "I am saddened by the news of the demise of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa. She was totally dedicated to the welfare of the people and was dearly loved by her people. India loses a female politician and a truly pro-poor leader, whom people fondly called Amma". • : • Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak also conveyed his condolences and stating that "My condolences to the people of India on the passing of the late J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu". • President of Malaysia's Senate Vigneswaran Sanasee offered his condolences and stating that "I am very sad. All (of us) knew Jayalalithaa. She was also a famous actress. Hope the people (of Tamil Nadu) will be calm." • : • Turkmenistan Deputy Foreign Minister Berdyniyaz Matiyev and Several Ambassadors signed the condolence book on the demise of Jayalalithaa. • : South African Tamil Federation (SATF) has called on all its affiliates across the country to host special prayer services for the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, describing her as "a friend of the Tamil community worldwide". ==Coverage==

The news of Jayalalithaa's demise was covered by international media outlets such as the BBC, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal and many more. ==Succession and aftermath==

On 6 December 2016, O. Panneerselvam was elected as the AIADMK legislative party leader and chief minister of Tamil Nadu following the death of incumbent Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. At 01:15 IST, Panneerselvam along with 31 other cabinet ministers, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao at a solemn ceremony in the Raj Bhavan. On 11 December 2016, the AIADMK said that over 470 party cadres had died, 'shocked' by Jayalalithaa's demise, and announced a solatium of ₹3 lakhs to each of their families. On 31 December 2016, the AIADMK general council appointed Jayalalithaa's aide V. K. Sasikala as the acting general secretary of the AIADMK until a formal election was held for the post. == References ==