Suraj Hegde, AICC Secretary and Vice President of the State Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, passed away on 8 June, triggering an outpouring of grief from senior Congress leaders across the country. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge were among those who mourned the untimely death of the young party leader.

Who Was Suraj Hegde

Hegde was the grandson of the late former Karnataka Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs, widely remembered for implementing the landmark 'land for the tiller' policy in the state. Hegde had entered politics through organisational work in the National Youth Congress and rose through the ranks to serve as AICC Secretary, KPCC Vice President, and party in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He was also serving as Vice President of the State Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee at the time of his death.

What Congress Leaders Said

Chief Minister Shivakumar described the death as an 'irreparable loss' to the Congress party, saying he was 'deeply shocked' by the news of Hegde's sudden passing. He noted that Hegde, like his grandfather, had been committed to the cause of backward classes, workers' rights, and social justice.

Rahul Gandhi stated: 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Suraj Hegde ji. As AICC Secretary and Former In-Charge of the Indian Youth Congress, he worked with a deep belief in the party's ideals.' Gandhi added that Hegde had mentored young Indians who 'today carry forward the Congress's commitment to justice and democracy,' calling his demise 'an irreparable loss to the Congress family.'

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said he had known Hegde since his teenage years. 'Watching him grow into a committed leader, deeply devoted to the organisation, was truly heartening,' Kharge said, describing the death as 'untimely' and noting that Hegde had 'made immense contributions to the Youth Congress.'

Tributes From Karnataka Leaders

AICC General Secretary and Karnataka In-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala called the loss 'tragic, unbelievable and deeply sad,' describing Hegde as 'a dear friend, a comrade in arms, an organiser par excellence.' Surjewala revealed he had met Hegde just two days before his death, recalling that Hegde had told him: 'Don't worry, bhai, everything will be fine. You keep doing what you do.'

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad said Hegde had dedicated his life to the upliftment of backward classes, Dalits, and marginalised communities, and had played a significant role in ensuring effective implementation of the state government's guarantee schemes at the grassroots level.

Former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah noted that Hegde 'had the potential to take on greater responsibilities in politics in the coming years,' calling his passing an irreparable loss to both the Congress party and to Karnataka.

Legacy and Political Significance

Hegde was widely regarded within the party as a torchbearer of the Devaraj Urs legacy — a tradition of people-oriented politics focused on social justice and equality. His death comes as a significant blow to the Congress's organisational structure in Karnataka, where the party currently holds power. Leaders across factions united in their tributes, underscoring the cross-party respect Hegde had earned during his years of organisational work at both state and national levels.