Jayalalithaa to skip APJ Abdul Kalam's funeral due to poor health

State ministers to attend funeral; govt declares July 30 as holiday

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa will skip the funeral of former President APJ Abdul Kalam on July 30 due to her poor health condition.

“I have great affection and respect for Abdul Kalam. I would like to attend his funeral and pay my respects to him. However, owing to my health condition I am not in a position to travel,” she said in a statement.

Kalam’s funeral will be held at his hometown Rameswaram, around 600 km from here on Thursday. According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of neighbouring states are expected to attend the funeral.

State Finance minister O Panneerselvam, Electricity minister Natham R Viswanathan, housing minister R Vaithilingam and several other ministers will participate in the funeral, the statement added.

The state government also announced July 30 as a public holiday in honour of Kalam.

Jayalalithaa added that the state government has alloted land for burying the mortal remains of the former President as requested by his family.

Cinema halls in Tamil Nadu will also remain closed till 6 pm on Thursday as a tribute to Kalam, theatre owners association President Abhirami Ramanathan said.