Bheemanna Khandre (1927-2026) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Indian Independence Activist, Educationist, Politician
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	08/01/1927
Age	99 years (died on 16, Jan, 2026)
Birthplace	Bhalki, Karnataka, India
Date of Death	16/01/2026

Latest News about Bheemanna Khandre

16/01/2026

Bheemanna Khandre, a veteran Congress leader, freedom fighter, and former Karnataka minister, died at his home in Bhalki, Karnataka. Reports stated that he had been suffering from age-related health complications, including respiratory failure. He was widely recognized for his role in the freedom struggle and the unification of Karnataka.

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Bio/Wiki

Nickname	Lok Nayak
Full Name	Bheemanna Khandre

Physical Stats & More

Eye Color	Light Brown
Hair Color	Salt and Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

Degree	B.A. L.L.B.
College/University	Osmania University, Hyderabad

Personal Life

Religion	Hinduism
Caste/Community	Lingayat

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married

Family

Father	Shivalingappa Khandre
Mother	Parvati Bai
Spouse	Lakshmi Bai
Children	2 Sons (Vijaykumar Khandre - deceased, Eshwara Khandre) and 4 Daughters

Career

Political Party	Indian National Congress
Political Journey	Elected as the President of the Bhalki Taluk Municipal Council in 1953. First elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Bhalki in 1962. Re-elected as a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Bhalki in 1967. Served as the President of the Bidar District Congress Committee in 1968. Elected as MLA from Bhalki for the third term in 1978. Became General Secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in 1980. Participated in the All India Kisan Rally in New Delhi in 1981. Elected as MLA from Bhalki for the fourth term in 1983. Served as Minister of Transport in Karnataka from 1992 to 1994. Re-elected as a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council from 1994 to 2000.
Awards	Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsava Award from the Government of Karnataka. Honorary degree of Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) from Gulbarga University, Karnataka. Kannada Kanimani Prabhuva Kambalivale Award (2011)
Contributions	Founder of two sugar factories: Bidar Sahakara Sakkare Karkhane and the National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factory. Served as President of Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Mahasabha for Lingayat community development. President of Shanti Vardhak Education Society from 1963 to 1993. Contributed to the implementation of the Naranja and Karanja irrigation projects. Founding president of the Bidar Cooperative Sugar Factory in Hallikheda and the Mahatma Gandhi Sugar Factory in Hunji. Established Akkamahadevi College in Bidar and an engineering college in Bhalki. Led the 'Seed Movement' in Hyderabad Karnataka area in 1972 during famine, resulting in his imprisonment along with 300 Kisan leaders. Advocated for family planning and organized voluntary sterilization camps for over 2,500 people in 1976.

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Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Bheemanna Khandre began his activism in the Indian freedom movements from a young age.
2. Played a significant role in the Karnataka Ekikarana movement to merge Kannada-speaking areas with Karnataka.
3. Before entering politics, he practiced law in Bhalki and surrounding areas.
4. Oversaw significant growth of educational institutions in the Bidar district as the president of Shanti Vardhak Education Society.
5. Known for his dedication and courage in advocating for the Kannada-speaking populace.
6. Led the 'Seed Movement' in Hyderabad Karnataka area in 1972 during famine, resulting in his imprisonment along with 300 Kisan leaders.
7. He was a staunch critic of forced sterilization during the 1976 family planning drive and instead promoted voluntary measures.
8. He personally carried cement and concrete to complete the construction of a temple gopuram overnight when workers stopped due to time.

Bheemanna Khandre Indian Independence Activist, Educationist, Politician Indian Bhalki, Karnataka, India