Indian government declares public holiday

Several states in India declared today a public holiday to mourn the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The holiday will act as a mark of respect for the departed leader, who passed away in New Delhi yesterday. A state funeral will be held today, followed by a seven-day mourning period.

In its initial announcement of the ex-PM’s death to state governments, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs did not declare a public holiday as such declarations are only made for a current prime minister or president.