Bengaluru: The Karnataka government today announced three-day mourning for actor-turned-politician MH Ambareesh, who died at a private hospital last night following a cardiac arrest.
“As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the government has declared an official mourning of three days,” a statement from Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s office said.
This announcement comes after reports of confusion between fans and family members of Ambareesh over performing the last rites. Soon after his demise, fans had gathered outside Vikram Hospital, where Ambareesh breathed his last. While some fans wanted the final rites to be conducted in the late leader’s hometown in Mandya, his family wanted the funeral to be held in Bengaluru.
However, the Chief Minister today said that after consulting with Ambareesh’s family as well as the film industry, it was decided that the funeral will be performed in Bengaluru tomorrow.
The mortal remains of the politician-actor have been brought Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru for the public to pay the last respects to their leader. A posse of 2,000 police personnel have been deployed and traffic restrictions have been put in place as part of this.