A day after massive protests over the non-formation of the Cauvery Management board rocked Chennai, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko's nephew immolated his self in Virudhunagar, allegedly demanding the Board be set-up.
Saravana Suresh, a 50-year-old businessman, has been admitted to a hospital in Madurai and is in a critical condition.
According to the Times of India, Saravana told his wife, Amudha, that he was going for a walk, and left around 5am. He then doused himself with kerosene and set himself on fire in a playground in the area at around 7am. Reports claim Suresh raised slogans demanding the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board as set himself on fire.
He has sustained 80% burns, as per reports. The police said that morning walkers spotted him and called for an ambulance immediately. Saravana was first taken to the Virudhunagar Government Hospital and, later, to a private hospital in Madurai where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Reports suggest that he told his wife that he was upset over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu on Friday in the backdrop of the Centre’s failure to constitute the Cauvery Management Board.
Addressing the media in Chennai, Vaiko broke down and began to weep. He appealed to the public to not take such drastic measures.
"I beg the youngsters of Tamil Nadu to not immolate themselves anymore. Please let us stand and fight," he said.
Vaiko reportedly said that though Saravana was not holding a party post, he had been working for the party for several years.
On Thursday, a 25-year-old man from Erode committed suicide over the non-formation of the Board. Dharmalingam had written on the wall of his house that he strongly opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tamil Nadu and urged the Central government to constitute the Cauvery Management Board. He suffered 90% burn injuries and passed away.