Wednesday, May 25 2005 18:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government declared one-day national mourning today (May 25, 2005) as a mark of respect to Union Minister and veteran actor Sunil Dutt who passed away in Mumbai early this morning.

The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, held an emergency meeting in New Delhi and condoled the untimely death of the "experienced and valued member". The meeting, which observed a two-minute silence in memory of the departed soul, also decided that Dutt will be accorded a State funeral. The Prime Minister will attend the cremation at Mumbai.

The meeting decided to declare national mourning for today during which the national flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country.

The Cabinet expressed profound sorrow over Dutt's death, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters after the meeting.

"With his passing away, the nation has lost an eminent figure from its public firmament," a resolution passed at the meeting said.

Paying rich tributes to the cinestar, the Cabinet noted that he "epitomised core Indian values" and was "a great exponent of the principles enshrined in our Constitution." It pointed out that Dutt was a "tireless champion of secular values and always showed courage in rising above narrow political interests in his effort to secure amity between various groups".