Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences to be renamed after Kengal Hanumanthiah: CM Bommai

Bommai stated that he agreed to rename the university after Hanumanthiah after a proposal by the higher education minister and Ramanagara district in charge, CN Ashwath Narayan.

“Under who else can the university be named, other than the son of the soil, who has toiled hard for the development of Ramanagara and discharged his duties as a true leader for the state of Karnataka, Kengal Hanumanthaiah. I also direct RGHUS to immediately introduce the proposal in the syndicate meeting to rename the university under Kengal Hanumanthaiah’s name,” said Bommai.

Recalling Hanumanthiah’s contribution to Karnataka, Bommai said, “Kengal Hanumanthiah was a great freedom fighter and the key architect of the Karnataka power house- Vidhana Soudha. Serving as a railway minister in the Centre he also supported Karnataka in a big way. He also fought for the unification of Karnataka and was also a very dear friend to my father.” Bommai also assured that the university campus in Ramanagara will become a major health centre in India equipped with a medical college, research centre, and a 1000-bed hospital.

Last week, the Karnataka government in its cabinet decision announced an increase in reservations for the Vokkaliga community along with the Lingayats, in an attempt to appease the two dominant vote bases of Karnataka. The announcement is also seen as a further attempt to appeal to the voters of the Old Mysuru region where the BJP is trying to make political inroads.