Veteran Congress Leader Bheemanna Khandre Dies at 102

Veteran Congress leader, freedom fighter, and social reformer Bheemanna Khandre passed away on Friday at the age of 102 due to age-related ailments, his son and Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed. A towering figure from the Veerashaiva Lingayat community , Khandre was a driving force in education, cooperatives, and regional development in Kalyana Karnataka.

A lawyer by training, Khandre entered public life as the first elected president of Bhalki Municipality in 1953 . He served as an MLA four times , a Legislative Council member twice , and as Karnataka’s Transport Minister in Veerappa Moily’s cabinet.

As a freedom fighter , he participated in India’s independence movement under Mahatma Gandhi and actively opposed Razakar atrocities during Hyderabad’s liberation. Khandre also played a pivotal role in the Karnataka unification movement , ensuring Bidar district remained part of Karnataka .

Khandre’s contributions to society extended beyond politics. He was the founding president of Bidar Cooperative Sugar Factory and Mahatma Gandhi Sugar Factory , promoting rural employment and economic self-reliance. As an educationist , he established Akkamahadevi College in Bidar and an engineering college in Bhalki , while serving as president of Shantivardhaka Educational Institutions . Nationally, he led the Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha , working to preserve the cultural and social identity of the community.

Eshwar Khandre said the mortal remains of Bheemanna Khandre will be available for public respects at his residence in Gandhi Ganj, Bhalki , with final rites scheduled at Shantidham according to Veerashaiva Lingayat traditions.

Expressing grief, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called him a “born fighter” whose contributions to the freedom struggle and Karnataka unification are “eternal footprints in this soil.” Rahul Gandhi remembered him as a “freedom fighter, educationist, and stalwart Congressman” devoted to public service. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge praised his “soft-spoken yet firm” nature and leadership in pro-people struggles. Other leaders, including D K Shivakumar, B S Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai, B Y Vijayendra, R Ashoka, H D Kumaraswamy , and Randeep Singh Surjewala , also paid tributes.

Bheemanna Khandre leaves behind a legacy of education, community empowerment, cooperative development, and regional progress , which will continue to inspire generations in Karnataka and beyond.