Om Prakash Chautala, the former Chief Minister of Haryana, was cremated with full state honours on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in his native village of Teja Khera, located in Sirsa district. The 89-year-old leader, who passed away the previous day in Gurugram, was a prominent figure in Haryana politics, having served as the Chief Minister of the state five times.
The state funeral was attended by numerous political leaders from various parties who gathered to pay their final respects. Among those present were Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal. Additionally, several key leaders, including State Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, former Union Minister Venod Sharma, BJP leaders Manpreet Badal and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, also arrived to participate in the mourning ceremonies.
The morning of the cremation saw Chautala’s mortal remains brought to the family farmhouse in Teja Khera, where the public was invited to pay their tributes. His body, draped in the Indian Tricolour and adorned with garlands, was the focal point of the gathering. A spokesperson for the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Chautala’s political party, revealed that his health had deteriorated the day before, prompting his hospitalization.
Chautala’s immediate family members, including his sons Abhay Singh Chautala and Ajay Singh Chautala, were present at the ceremony. Abhay Singh Chautala, a key leader of the INLD, along with Ajay Singh, the head of the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), and other relatives like former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, paid their respects alongside political dignitaries. The family had kept the body at the farmhouse for public viewing before the cremation ceremony.
The funeral rites were conducted with solemnity, and the pyre was lit amid Vedic chants by priests. The local community and supporters gathered in large numbers to witness the last rites, reflecting Chautala’s widespread influence and the deep respect he commanded from people of all walks of life in Haryana.
As a mark of respect, the Haryana state government had declared a three-day state mourning starting Friday, and a public holiday was announced for Saturday across all state offices.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who had a close association with Chautala, shared his personal memories during the cremation. After laying a wreath on the leader’s body, Dhankhar spoke to the gathered crowd, recalling a recent conversation with Chautala just five days before his passing. “Five days ago, I spoke to Chaudhary sahib, and he was inquiring about my health. He was more concerned about me than himself,” Dhankhar remarked. He also referred to Chautala’s unwavering dedication to rural development and the welfare of farmers. Dhankhar emphasized that Chautala viewed the progress of villages and the agricultural sector as crucial to the country’s overall development.
“His priorities were always focused on the welfare of farmers and the development of villages. His outspoken nature and bold personality left an indelible mark on Haryana’s political landscape,” Dhankhar added.
Chautala’s political career spanned several decades, during which he became a significant force in Haryana politics, with a reputation for his commitment to the state’s rural community. His legacy is marked by his advocacy for farmers’ rights and his influential leadership in the INLD.
Congress leaders, including Randeep Singh Surjewala and Kumari Selja, also visited the Teja Khera farmhouse in the morning to offer their condolences. This cross-party attendance demonstrated the high regard in which Chautala was held, transcending party lines.
In the wake of Chautala’s passing, many have expressed their condolences, acknowledging his contribution to the state’s development and the deep connection he had with his constituents, especially in rural areas.
The funeral rites concluded with a sense of collective mourning, as the state bid farewell to one of its most enduring political figures. As Chautala was laid to rest, the people of Haryana and beyond reflected on his decades-long influence, his leadership, and the personal legacy he leaves behind.
