Tragic Demise of The Siasat Daily’s Managing Editor Amidst Procession Honoring Balladeer Gaddar
The Managing Editor of The Siasat Daily (Urdu), Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, unfortunately, lost his life on Tuesday due to a heart attack that resulted from a stampede during the final procession honouring well-known folk singer Balladeer Gaddar in Hyderabad.
Khan, who had close relations with Gaddar, was actively part of the procession that kicked off from LB Stadium and ended at Gaddar’s premises.
The march got disorderly amidst cries of ‘Gaddar Amar Rahe’, which eventually led to a stampede.
The incident left Khan critically ill due to lack of oxygen. Even though medics at the scene tried to revive him with CPR, their efforts were in vain. He was quickly transported to a hospital where he sadly passed away.
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Gaddar’s last rites were conducted at his alma mater, the Maha Bodhi Vidyalaya. The ceremony saw a host of attendees including political leaders, artists, and poets, all saying their heartfelt goodbyes.
The funeral followed Buddhist traditions and was accorded full state honors, coupled with a police salute. The event drew in a massive crowd, including followers and the general public, all of whom came to pay their respects.
This resulted in an overwhelming task for law enforcement due to the sheer turnout.
The procession stretched over 17 km, starting from LB Stadium and ending at Gaddar’s residence, and took nearly six hours to complete.
Alongside common folks, many followers and artists attended the procession. Prior to the march, there was a tribute ceremony where political leaders, members of civil society unions, and artists reminisced about their time spent and connections made with the departed Balladeer.
Originally Gummadi Vittal Rao, popularly known as Gaddar, passed away on Sunday afternoon. His son, Suryam, disclosed this information.
Prior to his demise, Rao had undergone heart surgery at Apollo Hospital. He is survived by his spouse and their three children.