S.M. Krishna cremated with state honours

 A large number of political leaders, dignitaries, and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects to the former Chief Minister

The former Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, was cremated with state honours complete with gun salute at his ancestral village of Somanahalli in Maddur taluk of Mandya district, on Wednesday.

The body of Krishna, who died in Bengaluru on Tuesday, was brought to his native village by road. En route, a large number of people paid their last respects to the departed leader at Kengeri, Bidadi, Ramanagara, Channapatana etc., before the convoy with Krishna’s coffin, reached Somanahalli for the last rites at 2.05 p.m.

 A large number of political leaders, dignitaries, and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects to Krishna, and they included Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Home Minister G. Parameshwara, leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok, former Chief Ministers and BJP leaders B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H.D. Kumaraswamy, and former Mandya MP Sumalatha.

As part of the state funeral the national anthem was played by the Police Band and a guard of honour was presented followed by a gun salute.

Mr. Siddaramaiah laid a wreath and offered his respects to Krishna, who was also a former External Affairs Minister, followed by other leaders. Religious heads and seers of various mutts, including Nirmalanandanatha Swami of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, were also present.

The high representation of political leaders from the State, cutting across party lines, underscored the respect commanded by Krishna during whose tenure as Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004 saw the emergence of Bengaluru as a major hub for technology companies.

After the completion of the state protocol, the national flag which draped the mortal remains of Krishna was respectfully removed and handed over to Krishna’s wife, Prema, marking the culmination of the state protocol.

The traditional rites commenced later and the body was shifted from the coffin to a decorated bier and taken to the pyre amidst chanting of hymns.

A battery of 15 priests, led by Bhanuprakash Sharma, officiated, and the rituals were performed by Amartya Hegde — grandson of Krishna and son-in-law of Mr. Shivakumar — who lit the funeral pyre.

Family members of Krishna, including his daughters — Malavika and Shambhavi — and other relatives were present.

A large number of people from Somanahalli and surrounding villages had gathered to pay their last respects to the departed leader. The district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the last rites which was monitored by Mr. Shivakumar.

Additional police personnel were deployed from Mandya, Mysuru, and surrounding districts for security.

Published - December 11, 2024 09:11 pm IST