Puttannaiah laid to rest sans rituals; thousands pay last tributes

Farmers' leader and MLA K S Puttannaiah, who passed away on Sunday, was laid to rest with state honours at his native Kyathanahalli in Pandavapura taluk, Mandya district on Thursday.

Thousands of farmers bid adieu to the leader, who was laid to rest at his coconut farm. No religious rituals were held during the funeral, and Puttannaiah was buried amid singing of farmers' movement songs and poet Kuvempu's Vishwamanava song.

Farmers' representatives from across the state showered the soil they had brought from their respective villages on the grave as a mark of respect to their leader. Religious leaders of Hindus, Muslims and Christians attended the ceremony. Former director of Rangayana, H Janardhan, and his troupe sang farmers' songs.

Green tribute

Earlier, members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene covered Puttannaiah's body with a green shawl. After Puttannaiah was laid to rest, the farmers drew a plough on the grave and sprinkled turmeric and vermilion. They also placed green flags around the grave.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar, Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader, Housing and district inchargeMinister M Krishnappa, Swaraj India Party leader Yogendra Yadav, MP Raju Shetty, JD(S) leader A H Vishwanath, Salumarada Thimmakka, and writer Devanur Mahadev paid their last respects.

Fan hangs himself

Depressed over the death of Puttannaiah, an ardent follower of his committed suicide by hanging on Thursday.

Chandru (28), a resident of Kyathanahalli, is the deceased. According to sources, Puttannaiah was fond of Chandru and would play a game of dice with him whenever he found time.

For the past two days, Chandru was busy making arrangements for Puttannaiah's last rites. People had seen him fix cutouts of the late leader across the village on Wednesday night.

On Thursday morning, he was found hanging. His death note said, "I am responsible for my death. My last rites should be performed next to Puttannaiah's grave". He leaves behind his parents. Chandru's body was cremated next to Puttannaiah's grave.