For over five decades, the name Shamanuru Shivashankarappa was synonymous with the city of Davanagere in central Karnataka for his immense contributions across multiple sectors. Several legislators who offered condolences at the Legislative Assembly Monday hailed the senior-most legislator in the country, who passed away at the age of 94 Sunday, as a towering personality who created a huge empire despite hailing from a small village in the Vijayapura district.
“If anyone has lived his entire life in heaven. I dont know whether there is a heaven or hell after death. But, on this earth itself (if anyone has to know) how heaven can be experienced, we should look at Shamanuru Shivashankarappa,” said Congress legislator C S Nadagouda, a long-time associate of Shivashankarappa.
An industrialist with multiple ventures, Shivashankarappa also ran several educational institutions, especially at Davanagere. He was known for his charitable work, as noted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who recalled his contributions during the Covid pandemic. “During the pandemic, Shivashankarappa spent Rs 6 crore from his pocket to provide oxygen to the needy,” the CM said.
Shivashankarappa, a staunch Congressman, was said to have a bitter-sweet relationship with the CM. During Siddaramaiah’s first term as CM, he was dropped from the Cabinet after serving for about two years as Horticulture and APMC minister.
Pointing out that he was travelling in a Toyota Innova as minister, the wealthy politician said that he would then use a Mercedes-Benz to travel after being dropped. The remarks had grabbed headlines back in 2016.
Having settled their differences, the CM recalled that he had visited the veteran while he was undergoing treatment. “But, he was unable to speak,” Siddaramaiah said, hailing Shivashankarappa for rebranding Davanagere as an educational hub previously known for the textile industry there.
Apart from starting multiple industries and sugar factories, Shivashankarappa also started the Bapuji Educational Association, a major educational body in and around Davanagere. The Association has over 50 schools and colleges under its umbrella, the most notable being Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology, JJM Medical College and Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, among others.
Story continues below this ad
Tall Lingayat leader
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka highlighted Shivashankarappa’s stature in the Lingayat community, noting that the senior leader had long headed the Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha. “His word was final when it came to (Lingayat) community issues,” Ashoka said.
When the Lingayat separate religion movement was at its peak in the state in 2017-18 under minister M B Patil, Shivashankarappa had opposed the move. Considering the interests of the Lingayat community, he also expressed reservations about making the findings of the socio-economic and educational census public.
Having made his foray into politics in 1969 with the Davanagere Town Municipal Corporation, his first of six elections to the Legislative Assembly was in 1994. It came after an unsuccessful bid to contest the 1992 Lok Sabha elections. During his long political career, he was elected MP once in 1998 and MLA six times, most recently in 2023.
Another instance highlighted by Nadagouda during the condolence motion in the Legislative Assembly was the largesse he offered to the needy. Once, Nadagouda had approached Shivashankarappa seeking a fee concession of Rs 5 lakh for a medical seat to one of the students.
Story continues below this ad
“He asked me to wait, saying that he was completing a deal of Rs 100 crore. Soon after the deal, he came to me and immediately offered the concession I had requested,” he added.
Janata Dal (Secular) MLC SL Bhojegowda, speaking in the Legislative Council, spoke about the vices of the senior leader, particularly his smoking and drinking. Drawing parallels of Shivashnkarappa’s life with former CM J H Patel, Gowda was of the view that while Patel would go public about his escapades, while the Congress leader was more discreet.
Leader of the Opposition in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, reminiscing about Shivashankarappa, noted his fondness for the ‘555’ brand cigarettes. The preference went beyond cigarettes, and he used the same digits as the registration numbers for the vehicles he owned.