K'taka CM mourns the death of Dr. Rajkumar

Bangalore: Governor T N Chaturvedi and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy joined lakhs of Kannadigas in expressing shock and grief over the demise of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar on Wednesday.

Chaturvedi, in his condolence message, recalled Rajkumar's contribution for promoting Kannada language and his involvement in the Gokak agitation. "It is an irreparable loss to the Kannada film industry", Chaturvedi added.

The Chief Minister in his condolence message termed Rajkumar's death as a irreparable loss not only to the family members but to the entire state. No one could fill the void created by his death he said adding that personally it was a loss to him as Rajkumar had been an inspiration to him and had followed the messages he had propagated through his films.

His contribution to protect and preserve Kannada language was enormous, he added. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan described Rajkumar as an actor par excellence and a true patriot. He was a cultural ambassador of the state.

He was respected by all not only because he was an actor, but becauseof his nature and commitment to the language, he added.

Union Minister of state for shipping K H Muniyappa, expressing shock over the death of Rajkumar, said that, "in his passing away the nation has lost the Bhishma pitamah of the film industry.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Assembly speaker Krishna and council chairman VR Sudarshan and ministers C Chennigappa and K S Eshwarappa also condoled death of Rajkumar.

Sources