Sridevi accorded state funeral on CM Fadnavis's directive, reveals RTI
What's the story
Bollywood legend Sridevi was accorded state funeral on the orders of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis, states a Right To Information (RTI) reply.
A Mumbai-based activist Anil Galgali sought to know from the General Administration Department's Protocol Department as to who authorized state honors for the deceased actress.
Several questions were raised after Sridevi's funeral on February 28.
Quote
Galgali put all speculations to rest
"There were speculations that Sridevi was given state honors because she was a Padma awardee, but that isn't the case. Not all Padma recipients get state honor and it is the CM who decides whom the state honor must be conferred upon," Galgali said.
Details
CM Fadnavis passed a verbal order
The RTI reply further revealed that the CM's office had passed a verbal order, regarding Sridevi's state funeral, on February 25.
"Not all Padma awardees get that privilege, it is the CM who decides who gets the state honors. The clause reads - eminent personalities who have done public service, may get a state honor in recognition of their work," said an official.
Context
Maharashtra government has previously conferred 40 people with state honors
The CM has used his discretionary powers to confer state funerals for eminent personalities in the past as well.
The RTI information reveals that between June 22, 2012 and March 26, 2018, 40 persons including Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Vipassana Guru Satyanarayan Goenka, Dawoodi Bohra community religious leader Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin, noted poet Mangesh Padgaonkar, senior journalist Muzzaffar Hussain received state honors.
Unfortunate
Sridevi passed away at the age of 54
Sridevi bid her final goodbye on the fateful night of February 24. She was found dead in the bathtub of her hotel room in Dubai by her husband Boney Kapoor.
She had gone there to attend the wedding of her relative Mohit Marwah.
The 'English Vinglish' actress is often regarded as India's first female superstar.