MADDUR : The mortal remains of former chief minister SM Krishna were consigned to flames with full state honours at his native village of Somanahalli near Maddur in Mandya district on Wednesday evening.
A pall of gloom descended on Maddur as thousands of people paid their last respects to Krishna. The final rites were performed as per Vokkaliga traditions near Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, adjacent to the Café Coffee Day outlet.
Amartya Hegde, Krishna’s grandson and son of Café Coffee Day founder late VG Siddhartha, lit the funeral pyre as people raised slogans in honour of Krishna. Police personnel played the national anthem and fired three rounds in the air as part of state honours.
The rituals were performed by Vedic scholar Vedabrahma Bhanuprakash Sharma, who was assisted by a team of 15 priests. Adichunchanagiri Mutt seer Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji and seers of various Veerashaiva mutts and priests of the local church joined Krishna’s family members in performing the last rites.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, Krishna’s close associate and Home Minister G Parameshwara, other ministers, Assembly Speaker UT Khader, former chief minister BY Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, Union ministers HD Kumaraswamy and Pralhad Joshi, former MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, legislators and local leaders placed wreaths and paid their last respects to Krishna.
Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Dr Parameshwara, presented the tricolour to Prema Krishna, wife of Krishna, and family members.
Earlier in the day, Krishna’s mortal remains were brought to Somanahalli from Bengaluru in a vehicle decked up with flowers. Thousands of people, including women and children, lined up on either side of the highway holding the portraits of Krishna. Posters and banners hailing Krishna were also put up along the highway.
The body was taken to Krishna’s ancestral house and then to the farmhouse in a procession. Cops had a tough time managing the swelling crowd. People were forced to watch the funeral on LED screens.
Shivakumar, who is also a relative of Krishna, personally oversaw the funeral arrangements made at Somanahalli. He thanked the people for their cooperation and support of Krishna’s family.