Dehradun witnessed an outpouring of grief following the death of Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (retd), the former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Khanduri, who passed away at the age of 91 after a prolonged illness, was remembered by national leaders for his service to the country both in the armed forces and in politics.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan all conveyed their condolences on Tuesday, recognizing Khanduri’s contributions to Uttarakhand and the nation. The news of his death resonated across the country, with supporters and well-wishers gathering at the hospital and his residence to pay their respects. Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that the state government is planning a series of commemorative events to honor Khanduri’s legacy.
President Murmu expressed her deep sadness, highlighting Khanduri’s exemplary service in the Indian Army and his commitment to honesty, simplicity, and transparent governance. She noted that his dedication to development and public service in Uttarakhand would be long remembered. Similar sentiments were echoed by Prime Minister Modi, who acknowledged Khanduri’s valuable contributions to both the armed forces and the political arena. Modi emphasized Khanduri’s unwavering commitment to the development of Uttarakhand, which he said was clearly demonstrated during his tenure as Chief Minister. He also praised Khanduri’s efforts as a Union Minister to improve road connectivity throughout India.
Vice President Radhakrishnan highlighted Khanduri’s role in transforming India’s road infrastructure through initiatives like the Golden Quadrilateral and the National Highways Development Programme. He fondly recalled a recent meeting with Khanduri during a visit to Uttarakhand, remembering their time together as colleagues in the Lok Sabha. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interrupted his tour in Chhattisgarh to visit Khanduri’s residence and pay his respects. Dhami described Khanduri’s death as an irreparable loss for both Uttarakhand and national politics, emphasizing that Khanduri exemplified national service, discipline, and dedication during his time in the Indian Army.
Dhami added that Khanduri established a strong identity of development, good governance, transparency, and an honest approach in his public life. He noted that Khanduri had guided the state’s development through significant decisions made in the interest of Uttarakhand’s citizens. Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi also visited Khanduri’s residence to offer floral tributes and condolences to the family. Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat, along with Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Ganesh Godiyal, also paid their final respects at Khanduri’s residence. Rawat characterized Khanduri’s death as a profound loss, describing him as a remarkable individual and a dedicated soldier, who served with distinction as a Member of Parliament, Union Minister, and Chief Minister. (PTI reported that Rawat said, “He was as spectacular as a person as he was as a soldier, and he discharged his duties with great pride and glory as an MP, Union minister and chief minister.”)
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.