CM Siddaramaiah pays tribute to Jagjivan Ram on 40th death anniversary
Synopsis
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar paid floral tributes to the statue of former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on 6 July 2026, marking the leader's 40th death anniversary. Jagjivan Ram is remembered as a pioneer of India's Green Revolution and a prominent figure in Dalit political history.
Key Takeaways
CM DK Shivakumar garlanded the statue of Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru on 6 July 2026 .
The event marked the 40th death anniversary (Punya Smarane) of Jagjivan Ram.
The Karnataka CMO described Jagjivan Ram as the 'pioneer of the Green Revolution' and former Deputy Prime Minister of India.
Jagjivan Ram served as Union Agriculture Minister (1967–70 and 1974) during the Green Revolution era.
He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1977 to 1979 and is a significant figure in India's Dalit political history.
The statue is located near the western gate of Vidhana Soudha , the seat of the Karnataka Legislature.
The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka announced on Monday, 6 July 2026 that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar paid floral tributes to the statue of former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram near the western gate of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, marking the leader's 40th death anniversary.
Context
The Karnataka government's official X account shared visuals of CM DK Shivakumar garlanding the statue of Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram at Vidhana Soudha. The post described Jagjivan Ram as 'ಹಸಿರು ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಹರಿಕಾರ' — 'pioneer of the Green Revolution' — and 'former Deputy Prime Minister of India.' The tribute was held as part of the 40th Punya Smarane (death commemoration) of the leader.
Jagjivan Ram's statue stands near the western entrance of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka Legislature in Bengaluru. Such floral tributes at legislature premises are a standard practice of state governments to honour national figures on their death anniversaries.
Policy Backdrop
Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram served as Union Agriculture Minister during 1967–70 and again in 1974, a period that coincided with the rollout of high-yielding variety seed programmes central to India's Green Revolution. His tenure in agriculture is credited with institutionalising policies that helped transform India's food production capacity.
He later served as Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979 under the Janata Party government. A towering figure in Dalit political history, Jagjivan Ram held Union ministerial portfolios across multiple decades and governments, making him one of independent India's longest-serving Cabinet ministers.
Stakeholders and Impact
The commemoration holds significance for Dalit communities across Karnataka and India, for whom Jagjivan Ram remains a symbol of political representation and social advancement. Agricultural communities also recognise his legacy as a key architect of early Green Revolution policy.
State-level tributes of this nature reaffirm the government's acknowledgement of leaders who shaped both agrarian and social-justice policy. The event at Vidhana Soudha brings together the political and symbolic weight of Karnataka's legislative seat with a national figure's legacy.
What's Next
Similar commemorations marking Jagjivan Ram's death anniversary on 6 July are expected to continue in subsequent years at legislature premises across Indian states. Any accompanying policy statements on agricultural development or Dalit welfare programmes from the Karnataka government will be watched closely as indicators of the administration's priorities in these areas.
Point of View
' the CMO frames the tribute within a policy continuum that links historical agricultural reform to contemporary governance priorities. Such gestures, routine across Indian state governments, nonetheless carry symbolic currency in a state where Dalit representation and farm welfare remain live political issues. The choice of Vidhana Soudha — Karnataka's most prominent civic symbol — as the venue amplifies the tribute's institutional weight beyond a ceremonial act.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Babu Jagjivan Ram and why is he called the pioneer of the Green Revolution?
Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram was a veteran freedom fighter and Union minister who served as India's Agriculture Minister during 1967–70 and 1974, overseeing the rollout of high-yielding variety seed programmes central to India's Green Revolution. He is also remembered as Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979.
What is the significance of Jagjivan Ram's 40th death anniversary in 2026?
The 40th death anniversary, observed on 6 July 2026, marks four decades since Jagjivan Ram's passing. State governments across India typically hold floral tributes and commemorations on such milestone anniversaries to honour his contributions to agriculture, governance and Dalit representation.
Where is Babu Jagjivan Ram's statue in Bengaluru?
The statue of Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram is located near the western gate of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the seat of the Karnataka State Legislature.
What did CM DK Shivakumar do on 6 July 2026?
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar paid floral tributes — garlands — to the statue of Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru as part of the leader's 40th death anniversary commemoration.
What is Vidhana Soudha?
Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the Karnataka State Legislature located in Bengaluru. It is one of the most prominent government buildings in South India and houses the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
