Protocol states that in case of the demise of Chief Ministers (former and sitting), funerals with state honours are to be held and all State offices are to be closed on the day of the funeral.
Right from the time of Govind Ballabh Pant, up until Karunanidhi’s demise, this has been followed: A state funeral and the closing of all state offices on the day of the funeral. As a sign of respect, all offices, including private ones, and stores shut shop on that day.
In a surprising deviation from the norm, both in the case of Jayalalithaa’s demise and Karunanidhi’s, private offices and schools worked on Saturdays to compensate for the off day.
Fake Respect? Or Real Regard?
On the death of a politician, the government of the state decides on the manner of honour, over and above the mandated state funeral and day’s leave. So too for a politician at the centre. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam, for example, was accorded a week’s mourning, despite the fact that such protocol is followed only for sitting Presidents and not former presidents.
Karunanidhi himself did not accord any special honours to former Chief Minister Janaki Ramachandra, wife of MGR, nor was she accorded the sought-after resting place at the Marina.
On the other hand, state funerals were accorded to non-politicians, such as Mother Teresa and Sathya Sai Baba, in recognition of their immense contributions.
Why then is the death of legendary political leaders not worth a day’s leave?
A Compensatory Workday?
Generally speaking, a compensatory leave is accorded to someone who has put in more hours than mandated, or has worked on a public holiday. In effect, a compensatory leave nullifies the extra hours/day of work.
By this count, doesn’t the working weekend that follows the state funeral and holiday of Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa nullify the leave that was declared in the first place?
In principle, is this not a half-hearted attempt at honouring leaders of a state? Especially considering their immense contributions in shaping the politics and the lives of people of Tamil Nadu?
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