Former President and Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee, one of India’s most respected politicians, passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, 31 August.
The former President, who had tested positive for COVID-19, had been in coma after a brain surgery earlier this month. On 31 August, Mukherjee’s son Abhijit Mukherjee announced the former President’s demise through a tweet.
“With a heavy heart, this is to inform you that my father Shri Pranab Mukherjee has just passed away inspite of the best efforts of Doctors of RR Hospital & prayers, duas and prarthanas from people throughout India ! I thank all of You," he tweeted.
PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and President Kovind Offer Condolences
Expressing his heartfelt condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “Pranab Mukherjee has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation,” he tweeted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his condolences, saying “Pranab Da’s demise has left a huge void in Indian polity. My sincerest condolences are with his family and followers on this irreparable loss.”
President Ram Nath Kovind said that Pranab Mukherjee was “endowed with perspicacity and wisdom, Bharat Ratna Shri Mukherjee combined tradition and modernity. In his 5 decade long illustrious public life, he remained rooted to the ground irrespective of the exalted offices he held. He endeared himself to people across political spectrum,” he tweeted.
Political Leaders React
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, mourning the demise of the former president, said “May God give courage to his family and loved ones to bear this sorrow”.
In her tribute to the former president, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she “periodically benefitted from his wise counsel”.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar praised Mukherjee, saying that he was “intelligent and capable”.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the former president “a legend in all subjects from politics to economic” in her Twitter tribute.
Sonia Gandhi Writes to Pranab Mukherjee’s Daughter, Expresses Her Condolences
Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi expressed her condolences to Sharmistha Mukherjee on the passing away of her father.
“Pranab da is such an integral and prominent part of national life, the Congress party and the Central government for over five decades, it’s hard to imagine how we can do without his wisdom, sage advice and deep understanding of so many subject,” wrote Sonia Gandhi in the letter.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also mourned the demise of Mukherjee, offering his deepest condolences.
Leaders of Neighbouring Countries Pay Tribute
Mourning the demise of the former Prime Minister, Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said Pranab Mukherjee was “a statesman par excellence, a writer and a man loved by all”.
Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli also expressed his condolence in a tweet.
Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering also condoled the passing away of former President Mukherjee.
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi, expressing her grief over the demise of Pranab Mukherjee.
“Pranab Mukherjee was a true friend of Bangladesh. In 2013, Govt of Bangladesh conferred on him 'Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sommanona'(Liberation War Honour) for his valuable contribution to Bangladesh's Liberation war of 1971,” she wrote.
Vladimir Putin Sent a Message of Condolences to President Kovind & PM Modi
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi following the death of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee.
US Ambassador to India Expresses Condolences at Pranab Mukherjee’s Demise
US Ambassador to India Kenneth Ian Juster also expressed his grief over the demise of Pranab Mukherjee. He said that Pranab Mukherjee contributed much to the U.S.-India relationship, including signing the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement when he was the Minister of External Affair.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)