Final Journey of a Political Stalwart
The city of Kanpur witnessed an emotional farewell on Sunday as the last rites of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Sriprakash Jaiswal were performed with full state honors at Bhairav Ghat. The three-time Member of Parliament from Kanpur passed away at the age of 81 after battling a prolonged cardiac-related illness on Friday, November 28.
Thousands Join Funeral Procession
A massive crowd gathered outside Jaiswal's residence in Lal Bangla Pokharpur as the funeral procession began on Sunday morning. Thousands of admirers and Congress workers lined the route, paying their final respects to the beloved leader. The procession traveled through Canal Road towards the ancestral home before proceeding to the Congress office at Tilak Hall.
Emotional scenes unfolded as supporters chanted slogans including "Jab Tak Suraj Chand Rahega, Sriprakash Aap Ka Naam Rahega" and "Sriprakash Amar rahen" throughout the journey. When the mortal remains reached Tilak Hall, supporters showered flowers in such numbers that the hall became completely packed, leaving no space to stand.
Family and Political Leaders Pay Tributes
The funeral witnessed significant family moments as Jaiswal's son Siddharth Jaiswal returned from Canada specifically to participate in his father's final journey. His brother Gaurav Jaiswal performed the last rites by lighting the funeral pyre.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya personally visited Bhairav Ghat to pay his respects to the departed leader. He expressed profound sadness at Jaiswal's passing and spent time consoling the grieving family members.
Jaiswal's simple nature and political acumen had earned him cordial relationships across party lines, prompting opposition leaders to join in paying their final respects. Among the prominent figures who visited his residence were Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi, Akbarpur MP Devendra Singh Bhole, BJP MLA Surendra Maithani, former health minister Antu Mishra, and Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana.
Film star Raza Murad had paid his respects on Saturday, while Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan visited the former minister's residence in Pokharpur, placing flowers on his mortal remains and describing the loss as profound for the family, Kanpur, and public life in general.
The widespread mourning and cross-party participation in the final rites demonstrated the significant impact Sriprakash Jaiswal had made during his extensive political career spanning decades in Kanpur and national politics.
