Massive Crowd Joins Final Journey of Former Uttarakhand CM Major General BC Khanduri
Last rites performed with full state honours at Kankhal-Khadkhadi cremation ground in Haridwar
Army and police personnel accord Guard of Honour and final salute
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and several dignitaries attend funeral
Haridwar: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior statesman Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri (Retd.) was laid to rest with full state honours at the Khadkhadi cremation ground in Haridwar on Wednesday. A massive crowd gathered during his final journey as people from all walks of life bid an emotional farewell to the veteran leader.
Army and police personnel paid their last respects by presenting a ceremonial Guard of Honour and final salute during the funeral rites. The atmosphere remained deeply emotional as thousands remembered the former Chief Minister for his integrity, discipline and lifelong service to the nation. His son, Manish Khanduri, performed the last rites.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were among the prominent leaders present to pay tribute to the departed leader. Several ministers, MPs, MLAs, saints and public representatives from across the state also attended the funeral.
Paying tribute, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the demise of Major General BC Khanduri as an irreparable loss for Uttarakhand and the nation. He said Khanduri served the country with distinction in the Indian Army and later set an example of transparency, discipline and honesty in public life.
The Chief Minister said that as Union Minister and Chief Minister, Khanduri always prioritised public welfare and took several landmark decisions for the development of the state. He added that Khanduri would always remain a source of inspiration and guidance for future generations, and his absence would be deeply felt as a guardian-like figure for Uttarakhand.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that Major General Khanduri’s life symbolised simplicity, integrity and dedication. He noted that whether serving in the Army, the Union Government or as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Khanduri fulfilled every responsibility with complete sincerity and commitment.
Khattar further said that Khanduri’s contribution towards promoting good governance, transparency and institutional reforms such as the Lokpal would always be remembered across the country.
Among those present on the occasion were former Maharashtra Governor and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari, former Chief Ministers Vijay Bahuguna, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Tirath Singh Rawat, Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, BJP Organisation General Secretary Ajey Kumar, MPs Anil Baluni and Ajay Bhatt, Cabinet Ministers Subodh Uniyal, Satpal Maharaj, Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, Ganesh Joshi and Saurabh Bahuguna, along with Madan Kaushik, Pradeep Batra, Khajan Das, legislators, saints and a large number of citizens.
