Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda’s Wife Chennamma Cremated with Full State Honours in Karnataka

Hassan (Karnataka), July 2026 : Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, was cremated with full state honours on Monday at the foothills of Ranganathaswamy Hill in Mavinakere village of Karnataka’s Hassan district. The solemn ceremony witnessed the presence of senior leaders from the Centre and the state, family members, political colleagues and hundreds of supporters who gathered to pay their final respects to the matriarch of the influential Deve Gowda family.

The funeral was conducted with full state protocol, including a ceremonial guard of honour. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar paid floral tributes to Chennamma before handing over the Tricolour to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda following the state honours ceremony. He later presented the national flag to Chennamma’s son, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.

Representing the Central government, Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi attended the funeral, while Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also joined the family in offering their final respects. Both leaders conveyed condolences on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government.

The last rites were performed in the presence of close family members, relatives and prominent political leaders from across party lines, reflecting the immense respect Chennamma commanded despite largely remaining away from public life.

Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda was visibly emotional throughout the ceremony and was seen breaking down several times while bidding farewell to his lifelong companion. Political leaders present at the funeral offered words of comfort and extended their condolences to the veteran leader. In a touching gesture, Chief Minister Shivakumar touched Deve Gowda’s feet after handing over the national flag, expressing his respect for the former Prime Minister.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi described Chennamma’s passing as not only a personal loss for the Deve Gowda family but also a moment of grief for Karnataka. He remembered her as a woman of exceptional simplicity, humility and dignity who remained a constant source of strength behind one of India’s most respected political leaders.

Joshi said Chennamma devoted her life to supporting her family and played a vital role in enabling H.D. Deve Gowda’s long and distinguished political career. He praised her unwavering commitment to family values, describing her as the backbone of the Deve Gowda household and an inspiration for countless women through her quiet yet resilient life.

The Union Minister also conveyed his condolences to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, former minister H.D. Revanna, and Bengaluru Rural Member of Parliament Dr C.N. Manjunath, praying that the family finds the strength to overcome the irreparable loss. He also offered prayers for eternal peace for Chennamma’s soul.

The funeral witnessed the attendance of several political leaders from Karnataka and other parts of the country, underlining the goodwill and affection enjoyed by the Deve Gowda family across the political spectrum.

Chennamma passed away following a cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Bengaluru on July 18. She had been admitted to the hospital on July 16 after suffering from breathing difficulties, chest congestion and other age-related health complications.

Following her demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several national and state leaders expressed deep sorrow, recalling Chennamma’s quiet strength and unwavering support to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda throughout his decades-long public life. Her passing marks the end of an era for one of Karnataka’s most prominent political families, leaving behind a legacy of simplicity, resilience and dedication to family values.