Chennamma laid to rest with state honours

Chennamma Deve Gowda, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was laid to rest with state honours at the foothills of Ranganatha Swamy Betta at Mavinakere in Holenarasipur taluk of Hassan district on Monday.

The final rites were performed by her youngest son, H.D. Ramesh, under the guidance of a team of priests. Chennamma’s mortal remains were draped in the National Flag, and she was accorded a ceremonial gun salute.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, former Minister H.D. Revanna and other family members at the last rites of Chennamma Deve Gowda at Mavinakere in Holenarasipur taluk on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
PRAKASH HASSAN

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar later handed over the National Flags to Mr. Deve Gowda and Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy. The funeral was attended by hundreds of people from Holenarasipur, Hassan, and neighbouring districts, besides several political leaders, legislators, former legislators, seers, and other dignitaries.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna represented the Union government. Mr. Shivakumar, Chairman of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok and several Ministers, MPs and MLAs were also present.

Earlier, the mortal remains, which were brought from Bengaluru to Holenarasipur early on Monday, were kept at the residence of former Minister H.D. Revanna, where hundreds of people queued up to pay their last respects. The body was later taken to the Lakshmi Narasimha temple premises in Holenarasipur, then to Haradanahalli, Mr. Deve Gowda’s native place, before being taken to Mavinakere for the final rites.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar handing over the National Flag to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda during the last rites of the latter’s wife, Chennamma Deve Gowda, at Mavinakere in Holenarasipur taluk on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
PRAKASH HASSAN

Shops in Holenarasipur remained closed as a mark of respect, with residents joining the family in mourning. In an emotional farewell, Mr. Deve Gowda, Mr. Revanna, and Mr. Kumaraswamy were seen in tears as they bid farewell to Chennamma. Mr. Revanna and Mr. Kumaraswamy kissed their mother on the forehead before the final rites were performed.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kumaraswamy thanked the State government, the Chief Minister, Ministers, legislators, and former legislators for extending support to the family and according State honours to his mother. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for deputing Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi, and V. Somanna to attend the funeral.

Mr. Deve Gowda recalled the support Chennamma had extended to him throughout his long political career and said she had played an important role in taking care of the family and children while he was engaged in public life. He said the site for the final rites had been chosen in accordance with the wishes of his children. He also expressed gratitude to the State government, the district administration, the police, political leaders, seers, and the people who had gathered to pay their last respects to his wife.

He noted that the family shared a deep spiritual connection with the Ranganatha Swamy temple and had received the deity’s blessings throughout his public life. The district administration and police had made elaborate security and traffic arrangements for the funeral, anticipating the arrival of a large number of people and dignitaries. Five helipads, including three at Haradanahalli, had been prepared to facilitate the arrival of VIPs. The Hassan district administration had also declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Holenarasipur taluk, anticipating heavy traffic and the movement of large crowds and dignitaries on the day of the funeral.