Former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna was laid to relaxation with full state honours at his ancestral village, Somanahalli, in Maddur taluk of Mandya district, on Wednesday. The 92-year-old statesman, who died on Tuesday, was laid to relaxation with conventional Vokkaliga rites, marking the top of an period within the state’s political historical past.
In accordance with individuals accustomed to the matter, the funeral procession started early within the morning as Krishna’s physique was transported from his Bengaluru residence in Sadashivanagar to Somanahalli. 1000’s of mourners lined the route by Kengeri, Bidadi, Ramanagara, and Channapatna to pay their closing respects to the veteran chief. The procession reached the village by 2.05 pm, the place the final rites had been carried out.
Krishna’s grandson, Amartya Hegde, who can be the son-in-law of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, carried out the rituals and lighted the sandalwood pyre supplied by the forest division. A staff of 15 monks, led by Bhanuprakash Sharma, carried out the ceremonial rites.
Distinguished political figures, together with CM Siddaramaiah, deputy CM Shivakumar, chief of opposition R Ashoka, and former chief ministers BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, attended the funeral. Union ministers Prahlad Joshi and HD Kumaraswamy, together with state dignitaries and Congress MLAs, additionally paid their tributes. Siddaramaiah laid a wreath on Krishna’s physique, adopted by different leaders.
The state funeral included the taking part in of the Nationwide Anthem by the police band and a guard of honour. Following protocol, the nationwide flag draping Krishna’s physique was handed over to his spouse, Prema, earlier than the ultimate rites started.
Krishna, a towering determine in Karnataka’s political panorama, served in numerous roles, together with CM, exterior affairs minister, and governor of Maharashtra. His tenure as Karnataka’s CM is remembered for initiatives just like the noon meal scheme and the Yashasvini medical health insurance programme. He was additionally instrumental in shaping Bengaluru’s international id as a expertise and innovation hub.
After the veteran chief’s dying, condolences poured in from throughout the political spectrum, with leaders and residents alike praising his contributions to the state. The federal government declared a public vacation in his honour, with all academic establishments and authorities workplaces closed for the day. His hometown of Maddur noticed a voluntary bandh, with companies and institutions shuttered in a present of respect.
Krishna’s household, together with his daughters Malavika and Shambhavi, had been current throughout the solemn proceedings.
In the meantime, leaders from numerous political events have known as on the Congress authorities, led by Siddaramaiah, to posthumously award the Karnataka Ratna to former chief minister SM Krishna in recognition of his immense contributions to the state and nation. Amongst these main the cost was R Ashoka.
“In recognition of SM Krishna’s contribution to the progress of the nation, it’s my opinion that it’s applicable for the Karnataka authorities to confer the state’s highest civilian award, the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ (posthumously). Subsequently, I’ve requested that you just think about this suggestion and honour him by conferring the ‘Karnataka Ratna’,” Ashoka said.
Kannada and tradition minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Dinesh Gooli Gowda, a Congress MLC, and numerous Congress leaders from Mandya district, additionally urged the federal government to bestow the distinguished award on Krishna.
