Tamil Nadu

Governor, Chief Minister condole Sunil Dutt's death

Special Correspondent

A multi-faceted personality and a highly principled human being: Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: The Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, and leaders of political parties have condoled the death of Union Sports Minister Sunil Dutt.

In his message, Mr. Barnala said Mr. Dutt was a thespian of the Hindi film world was known for simplicity and who had dedicated his life to the cause of the nation.

`A multi-faceted personality'

Ms. Jayalalithaa expressed "shock" at the passing away of Sunil Dutt. Describing him as a "multi-faceted personality, a talented actor, committed social worker and a highly principled human being," Ms. Jayalalithaa said that Mr. Dutt maintained the highest commitment to public service throughout his life. "He brought the same commitment to bear on his role as Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports... Despite personal tragedies in his life, he continued to identify himself closely with social and public causes, including the fight against cancer."

She conveyed her condolences to his family and said that people from all walks of life will miss him "as an actor, a social worker, a public servant and above all a true son of Mother India."

Conveying his condolences, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi described Mr. Dutt as "an ardent nationalist and a renowned actor. His demise is a loss to the Congress party and the Mumbai film fraternity."

`Heavy loss to Congress'

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president G. K. Vasan condoled Sunil Dutt's death. Mr. Vasan described him as an actor with national fervour who was committed to secularism.

His death, he said, was a heavy loss to the Congress Party.

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