Orphaned sainiks get the blues

Orphaned sainiks get the blues

Shiv Sena chief’s Bal Thackeray death has taken a toll on the health of his supporters. While several sainiks slipped into depression after hearing about their leader’s death and are visiting psychiatrists, a party member suffered a heart attack and a supporter checked into a hospital after complaining of chest pain. Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty said that on Monday mornring, a 50-year-old Sainik came to his clinic complaining that he was disturbed by the visuals of Thackeray’s final journey. “The live television coverage disturbed many. They felt like someone from their family has died,” said Dr Shetty. On Wednesday night, Shivraj Rane (name changed on request) rushed to Kalanagar in Bandra (East) after hearing about his leader’s ill health. A few hours later, Rane complained of severe chest pain, and other sainiks, who were keeping vigil outside Matoshree, rushed him to PD Hinduja Hospital in Mahim. The doctors found that Rane had suffered a heart attack and he underwent angioplasty after an angiography showed blockages. On hearing the news of Thackeray’s demise on Saturday, Rane requested the hospital authorities to discharge him as he wanted to attend the funeral. But his request was turned down as his condition is not stable. Dr N Kumar, the cardiologist treating him, said: “He asked us to discharge him, but didn’t share the reason behind it.” Meanwhile, on Saturday, Andheri businessman Virendra Mishra, 50, a staunch supporter of the Sena chief, was rushed to a private hospital after he experienced chest pain on hearing the news of Thackeray’s death on television. Mishra said he was shattered by the news. Dr Ashish Tiwari, chairman of ACS Health Pvt Ltd, said: “His ECG reports showed abnormality. His relatives said he was closely monitoring the Thackeray events on television and was deeply affected by the news of Thackeray’s death. His blood pressure has shot up and he is clearly depressed.”