(Pics) The Amma effect: Why people are willing to kill themselves for Jayalalitha?

Chennai, Oct 7: Jayalalitha's (Amma) bail was rejected by the Karnataka High Court today, much to the chagrin of her supporters. The uproar had never died down and it got furious with the breaking news. While pockets of AIADMK supporters have threatened to hold Kannadigas as hostages if Jayalalitha is arrested, there ware others who display histrionics beyond imagination, eating from the floor and committing suicide.

[Read: Live updates on Amma bail plea hearing]

Reason behind the Amma fervour

If we leave the corruption part aside, the ex-chief minister of Tamil Nadu rules the hearts of the people with her 'Amma' brand. From Rs 1 a kilo rice to subsidized salts and pharma products, Jayalalitha earned her 'Amma' tagline for her sops for the poor. Moreover, unlike other states, Amma's goodies reach the poor, kudos to the bureaucracy. However, what is intriguing is that all the products-from idlis to cements- are in her own name.

In return, she enjoys the courtesy (preferably by prostrating on the ground) and the silent acceptance of her decisions, no questions asked.

Amma does not take no for an answer. A source of pride for the faithful, Amma can come down thundering on the ones-be it politicians from North or (mark our words) the Northwest.

Her political resilience is so strong that even the rivals are wary of rubbishing her, lest she gets back to them with a fierce retribution.

The Amma dreams

The poor are happy with a day's meal and that too at Re 1 has won their hearts. No wonder Amma has earned a lot of loyalists in the common man. Afterall the promises are kept in Amma's kingdom.

The theatricals on the roads these days are for everyone to be seen. But, very few know that people have actually tattoed her name under their eyelids to get Amma dreams.

Now that the trial is on and the final verdict on the bail plea awaited, one can see how much 'pain' her supporters are going through. They have resorted to everything unimaginable to release their saviour, their Amma.

Check Twitter, you can see gory images of women thumping their chests against the Karnataka government (its different that they smile as the camera span away), how the women eat directly from the road, the men rolling over their back praying to the almighty for her release.

Silent protests seem child-like in front of the inked signatures of supporters who want their Amma (mother) released.

The fight is vigorous inside the court and outside. While the Karnataka court is bent on proving that 'Amma' afterall is a symbol of corruption, the supporters outside are ready to draw swords against anyone coming between them and Jaya.

Jaya may get 'conditional' bail, she may even be rescued from the clutches of law in the future, but the entire episode of perjury, trial and release is a clear evidence of the 'Amma' effect and how worse it can get..literally.

[Read: Why Jayalalitha was sent to jail]

Supporters of AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa perform 'havan' to pray

Supporters of AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa perform 'havan' to pray for her bail, near the Central jail in Bengaluru on Monday.

A supporter of AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa receives tonsure

A supporter of AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa receives tonsure near the Central jail as they protest against her conviction in the disproportionate assets case in Bengaluru on Monday.

Supporter of AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa offer prayers

Supporter of AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa offer prayers seeking justice for her, near the Central Jail in Bengaluru on Monday.

Supporters light lamps at Amman Temple to protest

Supporters light lamps at Amman Temple to protest against AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha's conviction in a disproportionate assets in Coimbatore on Sunday.

Activists of AIADMK Delhi Unit protest as they demand justice

Activists of AIADMK Delhi Unit protest as they demand justice for party chief J Jayalalitha at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday.

Activists of AIADMK Delhi Unit protest as they demand justice

Activists of AIADMK Delhi Unit protest as they demand justice for party chief J Jayalalitha at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday.

Activists of AIADMK Delhi Unit protest as they demand justice

Activists of AIADMK Delhi Unit protest as they demand justice for party chief J Jayalalitha at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday.

AIADMK members perform a puja at Murugan Temple

AIADMK members perform a puja at Murugan Temple in Madurai on Saturday seeking justice for J Jayalalithaa.

ADMK lawyers and supporters of AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalitha

ADMK lawyers and supporters of AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalitha protesting in front of the Court against her conviction in disproportionate assets case, in Coimbatore on Saturday.

Members of Thirunangai Community mourning

Members of Thirunangai Community mourning against AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa's conviction in disproportionate assets case, in Coimbatore on Saturday.

Members of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation sit on a hunger strike

Members of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation sit on a hunger strike protesting agaginst AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha's conviction in a disproportionate assets case, in Chennai on Wednesday

Supporters cry during a protest against AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha's conviction

Supporters cry during a protest against AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha's conviction in a disproportionate assets case by Bangalore court in Coimbatore on Wednesday.

Supporters of jailed AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa showing her photographs

Supporters of jailed AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa showing her photographs outside Karnataka High Court where her lawyers filed a bail application for her, in Bengaluru on Wednesday.