D. Devaraj Urs Archives - Star of Mysore https://starofmysore.com/tag/d-devaraj-urs/ Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:20:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3 https://starofmysore.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/favicon.ico D. Devaraj Urs Archives - Star of Mysore https://starofmysore.com/tag/d-devaraj-urs/ 32 32 Bhoomi puja performed at new DC’s Office for D. Devaraj Urs statue https://starofmysore.com/bhoomi-puja-performed-at-new-dcs-office-for-d-devaraj-urs-statue/ Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:14:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=401038

Mysore/Mysuru: At last, the project to install the statue of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs took a significant step forward today.  Bhoomi Puja was performed for the installation of the statue at the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Siddarthanagar jointly by MLA Tanveer Sait, MLC A.H. Vishwanath, DC Dr. K.V. Rajendra and Congress...

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Mysore/Mysuru: At last, the project to install the statue of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs took a significant step forward today. 

Bhoomi Puja was performed for the installation of the statue at the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Siddarthanagar jointly by MLA Tanveer Sait, MLC A.H. Vishwanath, DC Dr. K.V. Rajendra and Congress leader Suraj Hegde, the grandson of late D. Devaraj Urs.

This statue project is a collaborative effort between the district administration and the Kannada and Culture Department, at an estimated cost of Rs. 92 lakh.

The statue will stand at 12 feet tall, sculpted from black granite by Mysuru’s renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj and his elder brother Suryaprakash Yogiraj.

Arun Yogiraj gained national and international recognition for sculpting the Balak Ram statue consecrated at Ayodhya.

Initially, the plan was to install Urs statue at the junction of D. Devaraj Urs Road and JLB Road. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the execution of this plan was delayed. 

Addressing the gathering, MLA Tanveer Sait expressed the fulfilment of the long-standing aspirations of the people of the Old Mysuru region to witness a statue honouring their leader who hailed from Mysuru.

“Beyond his regional roots, Devaraj Urs remains a towering figure in the annals of Karnataka’s history, revered for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of all segments of society. His efforts towards fostering an egalitarian society, ensuring equal opportunities for all, are unparalleled,” Tanveer Sait said.

“It is undeniable that Urs laid the groundwork for providing social benefits to the underprivileged and marginalised sections of society,” Sait remarked.

Highlighting the historical significance of Devaraj Urs’ contributions, it is worth noting that it was he who renamed Mysuru State as Karnataka fifty years ago. In a remarkable coincidence, the unveiling of the statue of Urs comes during ‘Suvarna Sambhrama’ celebrations. 

Reflecting on Urs’ enduring legacy, Sait recalled the renaming of the road stretching from K.R. Circle to JLB Road as D. Devaraj Urs Road in 1978 — a thoroughfare that has since become one of the busiest in city.

 Credit for this project goes to CM Siddaramaiah and District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa. The statue inauguration is slated either during Urs’ death anniversary in June or his birth anniversary in August, Sait said.

Despite the simplicity of today’s Bhoomi Puja ceremony, conducted in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and the Model Code of Conduct likely to be enforced soon, Sait assured that the statue’s inauguration would be a grand affair with the presence of beneficiaries of schemes launched by Urs.

MLC A.H. Vishwanath reminisced about how Devaraj Urs played a pivotal role in shaping his political career. Describing Urs as a beacon of hope hailing from the remote village of Kallahalli in Hunsur taluk, Vishwanath attributed to him and the Congress party the pioneering efforts in sowing the seeds of social justice in India.

Highlighting the late CM’s remarkable initiatives, he noted that under his ‘Uluvavane Odeya’ (tiller is the owner of land) initiative, 30 lakh acres of land were distributed to the landless. Even today, many families regard Urs as their deity, underscoring his enduring legacy.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra read out the message sent by District Minister Dr. Mahadevappa, who was unable to attend the event. Among the dignitaries present were ZP CEO K.M. Gayathri, Additional DC Shivaraju, Kannada and Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, Assistant Director Sudarshan, former Mayors Purushotham and Dakshina Murthy, B.S. Sridhar Raje Urs, Prof. P.V. Nanjaraj Urs, City Congress President R. Murthy, Statue Installation Samiti President Zakir Hussain, Congress leader Dairy Venkatesh and former District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Presidents M. Chandrashekar and Y.D. Rajanna.

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‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ awards conferred https://starofmysore.com/dhwani-kotta-dhani-awards-conferred/ Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:05:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=399199

Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs was not limited to just one class, MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah said that Urs implemented programmes that were beneficial to all sections of the society. He was speaking at ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ award conferment programme organised jointly by the city’s Anveshana Seva Trust and Ursu...

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Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs was not limited to just one class, MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah said that Urs implemented programmes that were beneficial to all sections of the society.

He was speaking at ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ award conferment programme organised jointly by the city’s Anveshana Seva Trust and Ursu Jagruti Academy Charitable Trust as part of the 11th anniversary of ‘Ursu Patrike’ at the Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) on JLB Road here yesterday.

Pointing out that Urs strived for eradication of bonded labour, manual scavenging and such other social evils, Dr. Thimmaiah said that Urs dedicated his entire life for the development of backward classes and marginalised communities.

“Urs brought in a revolutionary Legislation that gave land for the landless (Uluvuvane Bhumi Odeya – The tiller is the owner of the land). Urs, as the Chief Minister, gave a voice to the voiceless for which he is rightly called as ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’. Urs dedicated his entire life for the upliftment of the poor and the downtrodden,” he said.

Stating that he himself is a beneficiary of D. Devaraj Urs’ reforms, he said that Urs was the only leader who genuinely strived for the eradication of bonded labour. The contribution of Urs to the State will be remembered for long, he added.

Former MPVL Chairman H.A. Venkatesh, in his address, said that Urs introduced revolutionary land reforms. Noting that Urs ensured that the backward and marginalised classes got education and jobs, he said that Urs never practiced nepotism.

Observing that the current reservation system was introduced in 1994, he said that this reservation is unscientific in nature.

Noting that barring Urs, no other Chief Minister had the guts to receive the Backward Classes Commission Report, he urged for the introduction of a scientific reservation that truly benefits the backward classes.

Sri Kshetra Horanadu Dharmakarta G. Bhimeshwara Joshi, who presided and gave away the awards, said that the media is an important pillar of democracy just like the three other — Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

Stressing on the role of the media in social transformation, he said that it is important to print socially influencing news that can make a huge societal impact by promoting social harmony, peace and prosperity.

Six senior Journalists of the city — Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA) President and Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra Chief Reporter S.T. Ravikumar (RK), Executive Editor of Kannada Prabha Amshi Prasannakumar, Chief Reporter of Vijayavani R. Krishna, Prajavani Mysuru Bureau Chief K. Narasimhamurthy, senior Chief Editor of Andolana T.V. Rajeshwar and The Hindu senior photographer M.A. Sriram — were conferred ‘Dhawani Kotta Dhani’ Award on the occasion.

Anveshana Seva Trust Founder-President Arya Amarnathraje Urs, former Kanteerava Studio Chairperson Vijayalakshmi Urs, Ursu Mandali President HMT Lingaraje Urs, Ursu Jagruti Academy Charitable Trust Vice-President H.A. Venkatesh, limericks poet Dr. MGR Urs, Vipra leader B.R. Nataraj Jois and others were present.

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Government releases Rs. 92 lakh for D. Devaraj Urs statue in city https://starofmysore.com/government-releases-rs-92-lakh-for-d-devaraj-urs-statue-in-city/ Sun, 28 Jan 2024 14:06:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=398462

Statue to come up in new DC Office premises Mysore/Mysuru: Ending the long wait for the installation of the statue of former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs in the city, the State Government has granted administrative approval for the installation of the statue of the late former Chief Minister, who hailed from Mysuru district, in...

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Statue to come up in new DC Office premises

Mysore/Mysuru: Ending the long wait for the installation of the statue of former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs in the city, the State Government has granted administrative approval for the installation of the statue of the late former Chief Minister, who hailed from Mysuru district, in the premises of the new Deputy Commissioner’s  (DC) Office on Bannur Road in Siddarthanagar. Government has also released Rs. 92 lakh for the statue.

The Government has released the money (Rs. 92 lakh) to the Mysuru DC through the Kannada and Culture Department and has asked the District Administration to submit the estimated cost and details along with breakup of the cost.

The Government, in its order, said that the released money should be utilised only for the purpose that it is meant for. Also, the audited accounts of the money spent must be submitted to the Government and that the authorities must not send fresh proposals seeking additional grants for the construction of the statue at the site, according to the order issued by S. Geetabai, Under-Secretary, Kannada and Culture Department.

Welcoming the Government’s administrative approval for the construction of the statue, BJP OBC Morcha State President Raghu R. Kautilya, who had also served as the Chairman of D. Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation earlier, said that former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had sanctioned Rs. 92 lakh for the construction of Devaraj Urs statue in front of the new DC Office in Mysuru. But the BJP Government lost power before the project got administrative approval and the Congress Government which came to power, has now accorded administrative approval, he said adding that the construction of the statue must be completed before the late former Chief Minister’s next birth anniversary.

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Devaraj Urs provided opportunities to all sections of society: P.G.R. Sindhia https://starofmysore.com/devaraj-urs-provided-opportunities-to-all-sections-of-society-p-g-r-sindhia/ Mon, 04 Sep 2023 14:05:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=379443

‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ Awards presented Mysore/Mysuru: “Former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs was not a leader of one community. He gave equal opportunities to all sections of the society,” opined Bharat Scouts and Guides Commissioner P.G.R. Sindhia, who is also a former Karnataka Minister. He was speaking at the 108th birth anniversary celebrations of late...

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‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ Awards presented

Mysore/Mysuru: “Former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs was not a leader of one community. He gave equal opportunities to all sections of the society,” opined Bharat Scouts and Guides Commissioner P.G.R. Sindhia, who is also a former Karnataka Minister.

He was speaking at the 108th birth anniversary celebrations of late former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs organised by Anveshana Seva Trust in association with Ursu Jagruthi Academy at the Institution of Engineers on JLB Road here recently.

Pointing out that Urs strived hard for upliftment of marginalised sections of the society, Sindhia said that Urs firmly stood with Indira Gandhi when the Congress split in the 1970s. Observing that Urs led the Indira Congress party to a landslide victory in the 1978 Karnataka Assembly polls, he said that Urs is credited for providing reservation to all deprived sections as per the recommendation of L.G. Havanur Committee. Urs identified and mentored leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Dharam Singh, he added.

MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah, in his address, said that the Ursu community is a model in the State for its selfless thinking and helping attitude and activities.

Pointing out that Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was a model ruler in the entire country during his time, he said that Devaraj Urs followed his footsteps and worked for the upliftment and economic empowerment of the poor and the downtrodden. Urs also introduced several laws, schemes and programmes for the benefit of marginalised sections and farmers, which stand as a testimony for his                                                          selfless service.

Anveshana Seva Trust President Dr. M.G.R. Urs said that Devaraj Urs Jayanthi has become limited to just four districts of Mysuru region. Stressing on the need for celebration of Urs Jayanthi throughout the State every year, he wanted the Government to install a statue of Devaraj Urs in Mysuru district.

KPSC (Karnataka  Public Service Commission) member H.G. Pavitra, Ophthalmologist Dr. K. Anasuya Gopal, Press Photographer Anurag Basavaraj, Hotel Owners Credit Co-operative Society President Narayan V. Hegde, Writer S. Umesh and Industrialist Deepak Urs were conferred ‘Dhwani Kotta Dhani’ Award on the occasion, in recognition of their achievements.  MLC Dr. Thimmaiah was                                    also felicitated.

Former Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Chairman Dr. Pradhan Gurudatta, Mysuru District Small Scale Industries Association President A.S. Satish, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, Anveshana Seva Trust Founder-President Amarnathraje Urs, H.M.T. Lingaraje Urs and others were present.

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City celebrates 108th birth anniversary of former CM D. Devaraj Urs https://starofmysore.com/city-celebrates-108th-birth-anniversary-of-former-cm-d-devaraj-urs/ Sun, 20 Aug 2023 14:14:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=377375

Mysore/Mysuru: The 108th birth anniversary celebrations of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs was organised at Kalamandira in the city this morning jointly by the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat (ZP), Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and District Backward Classes Welfare Department. Speaking after inaugurating the celebrations by offering floral tributes to the portrait of the...

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Mysore/Mysuru: The 108th birth anniversary celebrations of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs was organised at Kalamandira in the city this morning jointly by the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat (ZP), Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and District Backward Classes Welfare Department.

Speaking after inaugurating the celebrations by offering floral tributes to the portrait of the late CM, District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, who is also the Minister of Social Welfare, said that DevarajUrs as Chief Minister tirelessly championed the cause of the welfare of the exploited sections of society. By implementing many welfare schemes, Urs brought them to the mainstream of the society, he added.

DevarajUrs lent voice to the voiceless through his programmes. He could contribute so much to the welfare of the weaker sections though he had no support of caste or money power. Only because of his commitment he attracted the attention of the entire nation by setting an example through implementation of welfare programmes for the downtrodden, said Minister Dr. Mahadevappa.

Regretting that caste and money have become an inseparable part of the present system, the District in-charge Minister said that Devaraj Urs showed that it is possible to overcome these challenges by giving a good administration and pro-people programmes. “More than a politician, Devaraj Urs was social reformer and a social doctor,” he opined. 

“It is important to recall the services of Devaraj Urs in these days of attempts to create rifts among various castes and religions which are against the aspirations of our Constitution. We all need to make sincere and serious efforts to prevent the division of the society on the basis of caste and religion,” added the  Minister and appealed the youths to imbibe the ideals of Devaraj Urs before entering politics.

MLA K. Harishgowda presided. MLAs TanveerSait, G.T. Devegowda, T.S. Srivatsa, MLCs Dr. D. Thimmaiah, A.H. Vishwanath, C.N. Manjegowda, Marithibbegowda, Mayor Shivakumar, Deputy Mayor Dr. G. Roopa, Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra, District Backward Classes Welfare Officer Raghavendra and hundreds of students from various city hostels participated.

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District Congress pays tribute to Devaraj Urs and Rajiv Gandhi https://starofmysore.com/district-congress-pays-tribute-to-devaraj-urs-and-rajiv-gandhi/ Sun, 20 Aug 2023 14:06:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=377381

Mysore/Mysuru: At a function organised at the Congress Bhavan in the city by the District Congress Backward Classes Wing and City Congress to commemorate the birth anniversaries of former Chief Minister D. DevarajUrs and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, rich tributes were paid  to the two late leaders of the Congress party. HejjigeSrinivasaiah, former MLA...

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Mysore/Mysuru: At a function organised at the Congress Bhavan in the city by the District Congress Backward Classes Wing and City Congress to commemorate the birth anniversaries of former Chief Minister D. DevarajUrs and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, rich tributes were paid  to the two late leaders of the Congress party.

HejjigeSrinivasaiah, former MLA and classmate of DevarajUrs, inaugurated the function by garlanding the portraits of DevarajUrs and Rajiv Gandhi and recalled the services of Urs and lauded him for distributing land to the landless poor.

V.S. Ugrappa, Congress leader and former MP, who also spoke at the function said that DevarajUrs distributed land to more than 8 lakh landless families in the State and freed thousands of people by bringing in Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976 and described DevarajUrs as the modern Rajarishi. He also said that late PM Rajiv Gandhi made big attempts to make India a Vishwaguru long back.

Prior to the stage event, a Naadageethe programme by noted folk artiste Amma Ramachandra and troupe was held.

City Congress President R.Murthy, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijayakumar and other party leaders were present.

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Devaraj Urs Jayanthi to be celebrated in a meaningful manner: ADC Kavitha Rajaram https://starofmysore.com/devaraj-urs-jayanthi-to-be-celebrated-in-a-meaningful-manner-adc-kavitha-rajaram/ Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:05:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=376211

Mysore/Mysuru: The 108th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs, will be celebrated in a very meaningful manner, said Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kavitha Rajaram. She was addressing a preliminary meeting organised at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in city to discuss the preparations being made for the birth anniversary celebration on Wednesday....

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Mysore/Mysuru: The 108th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs, will be celebrated in a very meaningful manner, said Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kavitha Rajaram.

She was addressing a preliminary meeting organised at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in city to discuss the preparations being made for the birth anniversary celebration on Wednesday.

She announced that a programme has been organised at Kalamandira on Aug. 20 to commemorate the birth anniversary and called upon people from all communities to come together to celebrate the Jayanthi of D. Devaraj Urs.

Meritorious students who have scored highest marks in SSLC and PUC exams this year and inmates of the Backward Classes Hostel will be presented awards to encourage their achievements. A resource person will deliver a special lecture about Devaraj Urs on the occasion. Cultural programmes by the hostel students will also be organised. Additionally, Jayanthi celebrations will take place at the taluk level, the ADC added.

A  leader, who also spoke at the meeting, announced that those research scholars who have completed Ph.D. theses on Devaraj Urs at the University of Mysore (UoM) will be honoured during the occasion.

The leader also requested the presentation of the Devaraj Urs Award to achievers from various fields in recognition of their exceptional contributions.

Backward Classes Welfare Department District Officer Raghavendra, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Kumaraswamy, Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director Dr. M.D. Sudarshan and other leaders were present at the meeting.

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CM invited to lay foundation for Devaraj Urs’ Statue in Mysuru https://starofmysore.com/cm-invited-to-lay-foundation-for-devaraj-urs-statue-in-mysuru/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 14:02:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=373578

Mysore/Mysuru: The city’s D. Devaraj Urs Prathime Pratishtapana Samiti has invited Chief Minister Siddharamaiah for the foundation laying ceremony for the statue of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs to be installed in front of Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Siddarthanagar here on Aug. 20. The Samiti members extended an official invitation to the  CM...

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Mysore/Mysuru: The city’s D. Devaraj Urs Prathime Pratishtapana Samiti has invited Chief Minister Siddharamaiah for the foundation laying ceremony for the statue of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs to be installed in front of Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Siddarthanagar here on Aug. 20.

The Samiti members extended an official invitation to the  CM in Bengaluru on Friday.

MLC A.H. Vishwanath, Samiti President Zakir Hussain, Hon. President M. Chandrashekar, Hon. Advisor Dr. Y.D. Rajanna and  Convenor Pavan were present on the occasion.

Following a proposal by the Samiti, the previous B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai Governments had agreed for the installation of the statue of Devaraj Urs, who hailed from Mysuru district, at the new DC Office, following which the Government sanctioned Rs. 92 lakh for the statue.

The incumbent CM Siddharamaiah has been invited for the foundation laying on Aug. 20, marking the birth anniversary of D. Devaraj Urs.

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Beneficiaries remember Devaraj Urs with gratitude on his 41st death anniversary https://starofmysore.com/beneficiaries-remember-devaraj-urs-with-gratitude-on-his-41st-death-anniversary/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:07:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=367895

Mysore/Mysuru: The 41st death anniversary of former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs, who is often described as the Champion  of Backward Classes, was observed in a special manner in the city with the District Administration in association with ZP and Backward Classes Welfare Department, holding an interaction meet of beneficiaries of various schemes introduced by...

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Mysore/Mysuru: The 41st death anniversary of former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs, who is often described as the Champion  of Backward Classes, was observed in a special manner in the city with the District Administration in association with ZP and Backward Classes Welfare Department, holding an interaction meet of beneficiaries of various schemes introduced by the late CM, at Devaraj Urs Post-Matric Girls Hostel in Kuvempunagar here this morning.

University of Mysore Registrar V.R. Shylaja, who spoke, said that she is a beneficiary of Deveraj Urs schemes that were introduced when he served as the CM in the 1970s, as she studied staying at a Backward Class Hostel established by him. She also highlighted how the various welfare and upliftment schemes introduced by Urs had helped the poor and marginalised sections of the society.

MCC Deputy Commissioner (Admin) Savitha said she is an indirect beneficiary of Urs’ ‘The tiller is the owner of the Land’ (Uluvavane Bhumi Vodeya) as her landless grandfather could get 3 acres of land under the scheme. Pointing out that she studied at a Backward Class Students Hostel from 1999 to 2002, she said that Urs should be credited for bringing about an equitable reservation policy, which benefited lakhs of people.

Dr. Malegowda, an ESI Hospital faculty in city, said he too was among the lakhs of beneficiaries. Recalling that he stayed at a BCM hostel in Saraswathipuram during his student days, he observed that  Devaraj Urs dedicated his life for the welfare of Backward Classes.

Several other beneficiaries from the city and the district too shared their thoughts on Urs.

Backward Classes Welfare Department District Officer Mahesh, City Congress President R.Murthy, District President Dr.B.J. Vijaykumar and others were present.

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Whose dreams will come true in karmabhoomi of Devaraj Urs? https://starofmysore.com/whose-dreams-will-come-true-in-karmabhoomi-of-devaraj-urs/ Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:35:00 +0000 https://starofmysore.com/?p=361456

By S.B. Devaraj The Hunsur Assembly Constituency, once the ‘karmabhoomi’ of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs — who was popularly known as the champion of backward classes — holds great significance for several reasons. In addition to producing one of the State’s most popular Chief Ministers, the Constituency is also noteworthy for several...

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By S.B. Devaraj

The Hunsur Assembly Constituency, once the ‘karmabhoomi’ of former Chief Minister late D. Devaraj Urs — who was popularly known as the champion of backward classes — holds great significance for several reasons.

In addition to producing one of the State’s most popular Chief Ministers, the Constituency is also noteworthy for several unique features. For instance, it witnessed the unanimous election of an MLA, which upset traditional caste arithmetic and reflected a broad-based appeal. Moreover, the Constituency has also recorded the highest number of by-polls held for an Assembly segment in the Mysuru district.

Of the 19 Assembly elections held so far, including four by-elections for the Hunsur segment, the Congress party has emerged victorious 12 times. The Janata Dal (Secular) has won three times, while the Janata Party and BJP have each won twice.

With elections scheduled for May 10, Hunsur is once again in the political spotlight. Analysts and pundits are busy making their predictions about which candidate will ultimately        emerge victorious.

It’s worth noting that late D. Devaraj Urs, who hailed from Kallahalli in Hunsur taluk, set a new precedent with some of his bold decisions in State politics. Over the course of three decades, the people of Hunsur consistently supported Urs, endorsing his prominent decisions and reformative measures, which are still considered milestones in the State’s history.

Unanimously elected

In the first Legislative Assembly elections held in 1952, D. Devaraja Urs was elected on a Congress ticket from the Hunsur Constituency, defeating independent candidate B.L. Marigowda. In the subsequent elections held in 1957, Hunsur became a dual-member Constituency and Urs, along with N. Rachaiah of Congress, emerged victorious.

When the Constituency reverted to a single-member segment in 1962, Urs was elected unanimously, securing his third consecutive victory. He was re-elected in 1967 after defeating independent candidate Thimmappa.

In 1972, Devaraj Urs, who had been touring the State, chose to field D. Kariappa Gowda as the Congress candidate for Hunsur, rather than contesting himself. Kariappa Gowda emerged victorious, defeating Samstha Congress (Congress (O)) nominee H. Hombegowda.

Meanwhile, Devaraj Urs became the Chief Minister and was re-elected to the Assembly in a by-election from Hunsur (as the sitting MLA Kariappa Gowda was elected to the Legislative Council), defeating his nearest rival, independent candidate Rangaswamy.

Identifying with Congress (I) (Indira Congress, a splinter group of the Indian National Congress that owed allegiance to then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi), Devaraja Urs won the election against Dr. H.L. Thimmegowda of the Janata Party in 1978, securing his sixth consecutive term and adorning the CM’s chair for a second consecutive term.

Death of Devaraj Urs

However, Devaraj Urs, who had been a six-time MLA of Hunsur and a two-time CM of the State, passed away in 1982, leaving a void in the State politics.

In the changed circumstances — Urs had formed his own regional outfit, Karnataka Krantiranga, a few months before his death, after severing his ties with the Indira Congress and Congress (O) following a falling out with Indira Gandhi) — Urs’ daughter, D. Chandraprabha Urs, contested the 1983 Hunsur election as the Janata Party candidate and emerged victorious, defeating Congress candidate H.N. Premkumar.

In the 1985 elections, Chandraprabha Urs contested on a Congress ticket but failed to secure a victory against H.L. Thimmegowda of the Janata Party. However, she was re-elected in the 1989 election, defeating D. Kariappa Gowda of Janata Dal.

Change in political scenario

Following a change in the political scenario, Chandraprabha Urs went on to win the Lok Sabha elections from the erstwhile Mysore (now Mysuru- Kodagu) Parliamentary Constituency in 1991. This led to a by-election in Hunsur.

Lady luck smiled on S. Chikkamadu, who had till then lost elections twice, was elected as Congress MLA in the by-election defeating BJP candidate C.H. Vijayashankar. However, in the subsequent elections held in 1994, Vijayashankar avenged his defeat, by winning against Kodi V. Papanna of Janata Dal.

Hunsur Assembly Constituency had to witness a by-poll yet again for the third time, as Vijayashankar was elected to Lok Sabha from Mysore seat in the year 1998. Janata Dal candidate G.T. Devegowda was elected defeating rebel candidate Kodi V. Papanna. He (Kodi Papanna) contested as the BJP candidate in the next elections held in 1999 and defeated G.T. Devegowda. Devegowda made a comeback by defeating Congress candidate S. Chikkamadu in the 2004 elections.

New entrant

In the 2008 elections, the Hunsur Constituency elected a new MLA H.P. Manjunath, who narrowly won amid stiff competition from two former MLAs, S. Chikkamadu of the JD(S) and G.T. Devegowda of the BJP.

Manjunath managed to retain his seat in the 2013 elections, with prominent rivals including Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) and Manjunath Urs of the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP). However, he failed to score a hat-trick as he lost to A.H. Vishwanath of the JD(S) in the 2018 election.

Following a significant development where the JD(S)-Congress Coalition Government fell due to the support withdrawn by 17 MLAs, including Vishwanath, the BJP came to power and Hunsur went to a by-election again. This time, H.P. Manjunath was lucky as he won from the Congress against Vishwanath, who contested from the BJP.

Lucky outsiders

As previously mentioned, Hunsur Constituency has seen the rise of politicians who originally hail from outside the region, such as C.H. Vijayashankar, G.T. Devegowda, and A.H. Vishwanath.

Vijayashankar, who is originally from Byadgi, established his political career in Hunsur after coming to his sister’s house in the region. He has served as an MLA (1994), MP, MLC and also held the position of Forest Minister. Similarly, G.T. Devegowda, who hails from Gungral Chatra in Yelwal hobli in Mysuru taluk, won the 1998 by-election and the 2004 general election from Hunsur. A.H. Vishwanath, from the neighbouring K.R. Nagar taluk, also emerged victorious in Hunsur by winning the 2018 election.

Not many from Urs family

Except for Chandraprabha Urs, the daughter of D. Devaraj Urs, no other members of the family have been successful in elections in Hunsur. Bharati Urs, another daughter of Devaraj Urs, contested as a BJP-Lokshakti candidate in the 1998 by-elec

tions but was unsuccessful.

Similarly, Manjunath Urs, son of Chandraprabha Urs, contested as a candidate for KJP in 2013 but did not win. H.N. Premkumar, the father of the current MLA H.P. Manjunath and a staunch Congressman, contested twice but was unable to win.

All eyes on Hunsur

The 2023 Assembly elections have garnered significant attention and the Hunsur Constituency is no exception. The incumbent Congress MLA, H.P. Manjunath, is seeking re-election, with the party already announcing his ticket. The JD(S) candidate is G.D. Harish Gowda, the MCDCC Bank President and son of Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda, who had previously represented Hunsur twice. Harish Gowda has developed a rapport with constituents by touring the segment along with his father, and he is also involved in various activities through the Co-operative sector.

In such a situation, Hunsur will witness a straight fight between the two candidates, but the curiosity remains as the BJP is yet to announce its candidate. The Constituency comprises influential numbers of Vokkaliga, Lingayat and Kuruba voters, besides significant numbers of Nayaka and other community votes. However, one cannot fully rely on the results based on caste lines here.

VOTER DATA

Male                                                    :                       1,20,290

Female                                                :                       1,20,474

Others                                                 :                       13

Total                                                    :                       2,40,777

Polling booths                                      :                       273

Voting percentage in 2018                 :                       83.04

Total votes                                          :                       2,23,209

Total votes polled                               :                       1,85,342

HUNSUR MLAs and A CM AMONG THEM

Year                                                Winners                                                    Party

1952                                                 D. Devaraj Urs                                               Congress

1957 (Dual- member seat)               D. Devaraj Urs and N. Rachaiah                    Congress

1962 (unanimous)                            D. Devaraj Urs                                               Congress

1967                                                 D. Devaraj Urs                                              Congress

1972                                                 D. Kariappa Gowda                                      Congress

1972 (by-poll)                                   D. Devaraj Urs                                              Congress

1978                                                 D. Devaraj Urs                                              Congress

1983                                                 D. Chandraprabha Urs                                 Janata Party

1985                                                 Dr. H.L. Thimmegowda                                Janata Party

1989                                                 D. Chandraprabha Urs                                 Congress

1991 (by-poll)                                   S. Chikkamadu                                             Congress

1994                                                 C.H. Vijayashankar                                       BJP

1998 (by-poll)                                   G.T. Devegowda                                           JD(S)

1999                                                 Kodi V. Papanna                                           BJP

2004                                                 G.T. Devegowda                                           JD(S)

2008                                                 H.P. Manjunath                                            Congress

2013                                                 H.P. Manjunath                                            Congress

2018                                                 A.H. Vishwanath                                           JD(S)

2019 (by-poll)                                   H.P. Manjunath                                            Congress

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