Vajpayee death: Gujarat declares 7-day mourning; public holiday on Friday

The BJP government in Gujarat has declared a public holiday on Friday as a mark of respect for former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who died in Delhi on Thursday evening.

All the state government and semi-government offices, schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed on Friday, the day when Vajpayee's last rites will be performed in Delhi, stated an official release.

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The state government has also announced a seven-day mourning beginning on Thursday (August 16).

"During this period, the tricolour will fly half-mast at the government buildings and offices across Gujarat," it stated.