CM Dhami mourns deaths of ex-CM Khanduri and shooter Jaspal Rana
Synopsis
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami mourned the deaths of former CM Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri and Padma Shri shooter Jaspal Rana before a cabinet session on 18 June 2026, calling both figures enduring contributors to the state and nation.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences on 18 June 2026 before a cabinet meeting at the Uttarakhand secretariat in Dehradun .
Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri served as Uttarakhand Chief Minister from 2007 to 2009 and was a retired army officer known for road connectivity and governance reforms.
Jaspal Rana was a celebrated Indian shooter from Uttarakhand and recipient of the Padma Shri in 1996 , with multiple Asian Games medals to his name.
CM Dhami credited Khanduri with lifelong dedication to 'national service, good governance, and public welfare.' Dhami said Rana 'brought glory to Uttarakhand and India across the world' through his sporting achievements.
The Uttarakhand government may announce formal state mourning orders and memorial events for both figures.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday, 18 June 2026, expressed condolences at the passing of former Chief Minister and retired Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri and celebrated shooter Padma Shri Jaspal Rana, paying tribute to both before a cabinet meeting at the state secretariat in Dehradun.
Context
Speaking before the cabinet session, CM Dhami mourned the loss of two prominent figures from Uttarakhand's public life. In his post on X, he wrote: 'सचिवालय में मंत्रिमंडल की बैठक से पूर्व उत्तराखण्ड के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री मेजर जनरल भुवन चंद्र खंडूड़ी जी एवं प्रसिद्ध निशानेबाज, पद्मश्री जसपाल राणा जी के निधन पर शोक व्यक्त किया' ('Before the cabinet meeting at the secretariat, I expressed grief at the passing of former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri and renowned shooter, Padma Shri Jaspal Rana'). The tribute acknowledged both men as towering figures in the state's history.
Policy Backdrop
Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri served as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2007 to 2009, prioritising road connectivity and administrative reforms in the young hill state. A career soldier before entering politics, he was widely respected across party lines for his integrity and governance record. Jaspal Rana, born in Uttarakhand, was conferred the Padma Shri in 1996 for his outstanding contributions to shooting sports, having won multiple medals at Asian Games and represented India on the world stage over a distinguished career.
Stakeholders and Impact
CM Dhami noted that Khanduri had 'dedicated his entire life to national service, good governance, and public welfare,' while Rana had 'brought glory to Uttarakhand and India across the world through his extraordinary sporting talent.' The passing of both figures is felt deeply among Uttarakhand's armed forces veterans' community, sporting fraternity, and the broader citizenry. Indian state governments routinely observe formal condolences for former chief ministers and national sports icons, and the gesture of marking the occasion before a full cabinet meeting signals the official weight the state government has attached to both losses.
What's Next
The Uttarakhand government may issue formal state mourning orders and could organise assembly tributes or memorial events in honour of Khanduri and Rana. CM Dhami closed his statement with the words: 'The contribution of both great personalities to society will always be remembered' — a signal that institutional remembrance is likely to follow. The tributes also reflect the BJP-led state government's broader practice of publicly honouring its veterans and the state's sporting icons.
Point of View
CM Dhami has elevated the tributes to near-official state protocol — a deliberate signal of institutional respect. The pairing of a former BJP chief minister-soldier and a celebrated Padma Shri athlete allows the ruling dispensation to simultaneously honour its political lineage and the state's sporting legacy. This fits a broader pattern in BJP-governed states of publicly anchoring governance identity to military service and national achievement. The gesture is also likely to resonate with Uttarakhand's large veteran population and sports community ahead of any future electoral cycle.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri?
Major General Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri was a retired Indian Army officer who served as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2007 to 2009 , known for prioritising road connectivity and administrative reforms in the hill state.
Who was Jaspal Rana?
Jaspal Rana was a celebrated Indian shooter from Uttarakhand who won multiple Asian Games medals and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1996 for his outstanding contributions to shooting sports.
What did CM Dhami say about Khanduri and Jaspal Rana?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said Khanduri had dedicated his entire life to 'national service, good governance, and public welfare,' and that Jaspal Rana had 'brought glory to Uttarakhand and India across the world' through his sporting talent.
When did CM Dhami pay tribute to Khanduri and Jaspal Rana?
CM Dhami expressed condolences on 18 June 2026 , before a cabinet meeting at the state secretariat in Dehradun .
Will Uttarakhand hold a state mourning for Khanduri and Jaspal Rana?
The Uttarakhand government may announce formal state mourning orders and memorial events; no official declaration had been confirmed at the time of CM Dhami 's post.
