Can Padma Shri Awardees Receive State Funeral? Read Details
Sridevi, a Padma Shri awardee has no rights to receive a state funeral, but still stands a chance to receive a state funeral as it's purely a prerogative/discretion of the government.
Maharashtra
Navnirman
Sena
(MNS)
Chief
Raj
Thackeray
lashed
out
against
the
Maharashtra
government
for
providing
a
state
funeral
for
Sridevi
at
a
political
rally
held
at
Shivaji
Park
in
Mumbai
that
was
attended
by
thousands
of
his
followers.
Now
the
question
is
-
can
the
Government
give
state
funeral
to
a
Padma
Shri
awardee
like
Sridevi?
Sridevi
was
given
a
state
funeral
with
her
body
being
wrapped
in
the
tricolour.
As
per
the
rules,
only
Presidents,
Prime
Ministers,
Governors,
Chief
Ministers,
Speakers
and
other
high
ranking
Government
dignitaries
can
be
accorded
a
state
funeral
along
with
the
National
Flag
being
half-masted.
So
what
about
a
Padma
Shri
awardee?
Do
they
receive
the
same
treatment?
As
per
the
rules,
a
Padma
Shri
awardee
has
no
rights
to
receive
a
state
funeral
but
the
awardee
still
stands
a
chance
to
receive
a
state
funeral
as
it's
purely
a
prerogative/discretion
of
the
government,
as
the
awardee
has
contributed
to
the
growth
of
the
country.
So
when
the
issue
of
Sridevi's
death
came
along,
the
Govt
decided
to
give
a
state
funeral
and
wrapped
her
body
in
the
tricolour,
which
they
did
legally
and
have
all
the
rights
to
do
so.
Also,
the
rules
state
that
after
a
Padma
Shri
awardee's
demise,
the
awardee
has
absolutely
no
rights
when
it
comes
to
the
National
Flag
to
be
half-masted
nor
do
they
hold
any
rights
that
their
death
to
be
declared
as
a
public
holiday.
That
is
reserved
only
for
the
highest
ranking
ministers
of
the
Government
and
other
dignitaries.