Thanks-giving crucifixion for Jayalalithaa's acquittal?

Karate master Shihan Hussaini on Monday said he is thinking of getting crucified again in thanks-giving to God for former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's acquittal in the disproportionate assets case.

In February this year, the 46-year-old Hussaini got himself crucified for the return of Jayalalithaa as the Tamil Nadu chief minister after she was convicted by a trial court in Bangalore in the disproportionate assets case.

He came out with this out-of-the-box idea -- self-crucifixion for six minutes and seven seconds -- on the eve of Jayalalithaa's 67th birthday.

Reacting to Jayalalithaa's acquittal by the Karnataka High Court oln Monday, Hussaini said: "I am absolutely delighted. It is the power of the prayer. I am happy that self-crucifixion prayer has been answered by the God."

He said it is time for thanks-giving and he may go in for another self-crucifixion.

According to Hussaini, the wounds on the hands after the February crucification have healed but the wounds on his legs have not fully healed.

Hussaini left his home on Sunday night and near Jayaalilathaa's residence at Poes Garden and from there to the Besant Nagar church.

"I did not go home after I left it on Sunday. I was roaming throughout the night. Went to Besant Nagar church and prayed for Jayalalithaa's acquittal for a long time," Hussaini said outside AIADMK leader's residence.

"It was the most painful experience I have ever undergone. I heard it was the most painful and realised that today," Hussaini told IANS in February.

"More than hitting the nails on the hands and legs, taking them out was extremely painful," he said.

Hussaini said he blacked out briefly and after extraction of the nails by his juniors, he was rushed to a hospital where doctors checked him thoroughly and took X-rays. The nails were hammered to his palms and legs while he was tied to the cross. The cross was eight feet in length, six feet in width and six inches in thickness.

"I worship her (Jayalalithaa). She is the only hope for Tamil Nadu," he said. "The cross always enamoured me for a long time. A martial artist undergoes severe pain during his training. We are trained to tolerate pain," he said.

However, Jayalalithaa was not amused by his act then.

In a letter to Hussaini, she said: "I was deeply shocked and distressed to learn that you had performed an extreme act of penance in nailing yourself to a cross and offering a prayer for me to overcome all obstacles and to assume charge as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu again."

She said subjecting oneself to such an extreme act of self-inflicted pain should be avoided, and thanked Hussaini for his concern for her.