A dreadful evening - final adios to the legendary

It is hard to believe if you say thespian Rajkumar's fans went on a rampage today resorting to stone throwing targeting vehicles and police force around Kanteerava Stadium in the morning and Kanteerava Studio in the after noon. Two government buses were set on fire near the stadium by the rumbustious crowd. Policemen were at the receiving end of the mob's fury, who resorted to lati-charge and burst teargas shells to control the mob. Repeated requests and announcements by the family members of Dr. Rajkumar, other celebrities and the government officials had no impact on the furious mob.

It was very evident that the police force deployed at Kanteerava Stadium was no way in adequate number where the actor's body was kept for the public to pay their last respects. A government bus carrying constables was stopped near Malya Hospital, stoned and policemen were beaten inhumanly. Situation completely went out of control and in the melee more than 50 people including the police personals were injured.

Keeping their personal emotions and privacy aside, Rajkumar's wife Parvatamma, sons Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Punit Rajkumar decided to keep his body for public viewing. It certainly shows their greatness and respect they have towards 'abhimani devarugalu' (fans). But the situation out there conveyed something else. If they had similar respect and love for their idol, will anyone indulge in such riots? Obviously not!

However, when it was decided to take the body to Kanteerava Studio at 12.30 pm for funeral, there were several thousand people still waiting for last respect but disappointed. Procession took off from Kanteerava Stadium and went smoothly till they reached Mysore Bank circle where the police announced the change in procession route. It was earlier planned to go via Palace Road, Windsor Manner, Cauvery Theater, Yashawanthpur Circle and then to Kanteerava Studio. But the police officials decided to change the route to KG Road and Majestic. In the clash, one person was reportedly dead and it took over 30 minutes to convince the mob. During the course, five busses were burnt and more than 10 bikes and cars were damaged and set ablaze.

The 14-kilometer long procession then continued via Palace Road as planned and near Cauvery Theater fury started again and police had to restore lati-charge and burst teargas shells to control the mob. When the procession neared the Kanteerava Studio around 5.20 pm, it was a literal chaos and the situation was completely out of control. Emotions ranged from grief to fury as phrenetic fans jostled with each other to catch one last glimpse of their beloved star. Stone pelting at police and burning of vehicles were seen all around. Two petrol bunks were set ablaze next to the studio. Lati change and tear gas had no effect and police were left with no other choice than opening fire and three people and a cop are reportedly died. Four policemen were seriously injured.

The saddest part of the saga was the moment when the final cremation rituals were supposed to take place. The place was so badly thronged; family of Dr. Rajkumar including his sons barely had any place to move around the sepulture. It was heartbreaking to see Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar pleading the fans to give a little space to perform their last rituals but their beseech went in vain. They were forced to wind-up finishing it all symbolically… It was an unforgettable and unforgivable moment that they all will regret throughout their life.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy who was supposed to be there at Kanteerava Studio during the cremation could not make it due to jam-packed soundings and he assured to punish the anti-social activists who caused the woes. He stated that there was a shortfall of police force since part of Karnataka police were deployed at Tamil Nadu and Kerala on election duty. Rath Yatra by L.K. Advani too required police force and that was another reason for shortfall of policemen according to CM.

Whatever the reasons may be, but what happened is certainly not something one would expect during the final rites of a legendary who lived for this land, for this language and people.

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