H. Hanumanthappa, a three-time Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka and veteran Indian National Congress leader, passed away on 12 July 2026 at the age of 94. He died at a hospital in Tumakuru due to age-related illness and was later cremated with full state honours in Chitradurga. A close associate of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Hanumanthappa was widely known for his relentless advocacy for irrigation projects in the drought-prone regions of central Karnataka.
Who Was H. Hanumanthappa?
Born on 13 May 1932, H. Hanumanthappa entered electoral politics and was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, three consecutive times from 1982 to 2000 representing Karnataka. He belonged to the Indian National Congress and was a prominent Scheduled Castes leader from the Chitradurga region.
During his long political career, Hanumanthappa built close working relationships with three generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family. He was known to be particularly close to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and later maintained ties with Sonia Gandhi as well. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who had known Hanumanthappa since 1979-80, described him as a simple and respectful leader who worked tirelessly for party workers and the people.
Hanumanthappa also served as secretary-general of the SC/ST Forum of Parliamentarians and as Congress Parliamentary Party secretary, roles through which he championed the cause of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at the national level.
Key Positions Held
Beyond his parliamentary career, Hanumanthappa held several important institutional positions throughout his public life.
| Position | Organization | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Central Silk Board | Headed the apex body for silk development in India |
| Chairman | Railway Commission | Served as head of the railway panel |
| Chairman | National Commission for SC/ST (1995) | Led the constitutional body for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes |
| Chairman | S. Nijalingappa Memorial Trust | Managed the trust named after the former Karnataka CM |
| Vice-Chairman | Karnataka State Planning Board | Played a role in state-level planning |
| Chairman | Karnataka Safai Karmachari Development Corporation (2020) | Worked for the welfare of sanitation workers |
The Central Silk Board, which Hanumanthappa chaired, was established in 1948 under the Ministry of Textiles and is headquartered in Bengaluru. His tenure as Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in 1995 was particularly significant. This body was originally set up under Article 338 of the Constitution to investigate and monitor matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for SC/ST communities.
Legacy: The Upper Bhadra Project Crusade
Among his many contributions, Hanumanthappa will be most remembered for his lifelong campaign for the Upper Bhadra Project, a major irrigation scheme aimed at bringing water to the drought-prone districts of central Karnataka, particularly Chitradurga. The region lies in the semi-arid belt of the state and has historically faced severe water scarcity, affecting both farming and daily life.
Hanumanthappa consistently raised the issue in Parliament and before successive governments at the Centre and in the state. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, while paying tribute, recalled that Hanumanthappa was the driving force behind key agricultural initiatives and irrigation projects in the region. He described him as an “irrigation activist” who never let the district’s water needs fade from public discourse.
His last rites were performed with full state honours at Jogimatti Muktidhama in Chitradurga on 13 July 2026. A ceremonial three-round gun salute was accorded, and the national flag draped over his body was handed over to his son, GH Mohan. The funeral was attended by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, MPs, MLAs, and a large number of party workers and citizens.
Key Takeaways
- H. Hanumanthappa (born 13 May 1932) was a three-time Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, serving from 1982 to 2000.
- He served as Chairman of the National Commission for SC/ST in 1995, the Central Silk Board, and the Railway Commission.
- He was a close associate of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and had strong ties with Sonia Gandhi.
- Hanumanthappa was cremated with full state honours in Chitradurga on 13 July 2026, with a ceremonial three-round gun salute.
- He is remembered as a key advocate for the Upper Bhadra Project, an irrigation scheme to address water scarcity in drought-prone central Karnataka.
