Former Karnataka chief minister S.M. Krishna laid to rest with State honours

Former Karnataka CM S.M. Krishna was accorded a State funeral complete with gun salute at Somanahalli in Maddur taluk on Mandya district on December 11, 2024.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

Former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna was accorded a State funeral complete with gun salute at his ancestral village of Somanahalli in Maddur taluk of Mandya district, on Wednesday (December 11, 2024).

The body of Krishna, who died in Bengaluru on December 10, 2024, was brought to his native village by road. Enroute, a large number of people paid their last respects to the departed leader at Kengeri, Bidadi, Ramanagaram, Channapatana, etc., before the convoy with Krishna’s coffin, reached Somanahalli for the last rites at 2.05 p.m.

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The body of S.M. Krishna was brought to his native village Somanahalli in Mandya district by road.
| Photo Credit:
M.A. Sriram

Several political leaders, dignitaries, and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects to Krishna, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K.Shivakumar, leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok, former chief ministers and BJP leaders B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Prahlad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy among others.

As part of the State funeral, the National Anthem was played by the Police Band and a guard of honour was presented. Mr. Siddaramaiah laid a wreath and offered his respects to Krishna, and other leaders followed suit.

Respected across parties

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

After the completion of the State protocol, the national flag, which draped the body of Krishna, was respectfully removed and handed over to his wife, Prema. The traditional rites commenced soon after and the body was shifted from the coffin to a decorated bier and taken to the pyre.

Amartya Hegde, grandson of S.M. Krishna and son-in-law of Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, performed the final rites. The rituals were officiated by head priest Bhanuprakash Sharma.
| Photo Credit:
M.A. Sriram

A battery of 15 priests, led by Bhanuprakash Sharma, officiated the last rites and the rituals were performed by Amartya Hegde, grandson of Krishna and son-in-law of Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.

The family members of Krishna including his daughters Malavika, Shambhavi and other relatives were present.