JOIN USNation bids adieu to Shekhawat
A state police contingent reversed arms and offered a gun salute as the mortal remains of the 86 year leader, popularly called “Babo Sa” by his large fan following was consigned to the flames. His grand sons— Vikramaditya and Abhimanyu— lit the funeral pyre amidst the chanting of holy hymns and slogans renting the air—Rajasthan Ka Ek Hi Singh, Bhairon Singh.”
His official residence in Civil Lines saw a large number of mourners coming to pay their last respects to the beloved leader from all walks of life. Rich tributes were paid to the departed leader by BJP’s top brass, including veteran leader L K Advani, party chief Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitly, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Chattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, MP chief minister Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan among others.
Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Union minister and NCP leader Sharad Pawar, chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his cabinet colleagues, Union minister C P Joshi, former union minister Jaswant Singh, acting Governor of Rajasthan, Shiv Raj Patil, Akali Dal leader Prakash Singh Badal, National Women’s Commission chairperson Dr Girija Vyas and a host of other leaders were also present at the funeral.
Ever since news of his demise spread, mourners, cutting across party line, had started rushing to his official residence since Saturday, including former President APJ Abdul Kalam who made a visit to Jaipur in the evening to offer his homage to Shekhawat.
Tributes
Shekhawat’s body draped in the tri-colour, was taken in a flower-bedecked military vehicle to the BJP state headquarter situated at the Sardar Patel road in the morning where rich tributes were paid to the departed leader. Later, his last journey passed through the walled city and main roads of the city to enable people to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader.
There were emotional scenes as the funeral procession passed through the city as people stood along both sides of the road with tears in their eyes.
The state govt has declared a three day state mourning as a mark of respect to Shekhawat, who was one of the tallest leaders in the history of Rajasthan. A state memorial will also be constructed at the site of the funeral at the Vidyadhar Nagar stadium, for which a land has been allotted by Jaipur Development Authority.
DH News Service