B.C. Nagesh, Former Karnataka Minister, Dies at 65 After Brief Illness

Former Karnataka Minister B.C. Nagesh passed away on Tuesday at his daughter's residence in Bengaluru after a brief illness. He was 65. He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.

Nagesh, a two-time BJP MLA from Tiptur in Tumakuru district, served as the Minister for School Education and Literacy in the Basavaraj Bommai-led government from 2021 to 2023. His tenure was marked by significant public controversies, including a revision of school textbooks and a dispute over the wearing of hijab in classrooms.

A trained engineer, Nagesh was active in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) during his student days. He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and built a strong organisational base in the Tiptur segment. His political career took off in the early 2000s, and he was first elected to the Karnataka Assembly in 2008. He retained the seat in 2018, defeating his nearest rival by a comfortable margin.

Born and brought up in Tiptur, Nagesh was educated at local institutions. After completing his engineering degree, he worked briefly in the private sector before entering social and political work. His association with the ABVP shaped his public life, and he rose through the BJP's organisational ranks over the years.

As education minister, Nagesh oversaw a major overhaul of school textbooks. The revision drew widespread criticism from opposition parties and historians, who alleged that it promoted a particular religious ideology and distorted historical facts. Critics often used the term "saffronisation" to describe the process. The state government defended the changes, saying they were intended to modernise the curriculum and remove inaccuracies. Nagesh personally dismissed the allegations, calling them politically motivated. The controversy remained a recurring theme throughout his tenure.

In 2022, his ministry became embroiled in a high-profile dispute over a government order that barred girl students from wearing hijab in classrooms. The decision led to protests in several parts of the state, including a stand-off in Udupi that captured national attention. Students and civil liberties groups challenged the order in court, while opponents argued that it disproportionately affected Muslims. Nagesh consistently defended the government's position, maintaining that uniforms were necessary for discipline. He reiterated this stance in several interviews, and the matter remained unresolved until his term ended.

His death drew condolences from across the political spectrum. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, in a statement, paid tribute to Nagesh's simplicity and ideological commitment. "His contributions to the party as an MLA, Minister and to the State through the reforms he brought as the education minister of the state are immense," Vijayendra said. He also highlighted Nagesh's pro-people approach, which earned him respect among party workers and the public alike.

Nagesh's body will be kept at Jagannath Bhavan in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Wednesday for the public to pay their last respects. The final rites will be conducted at Tiptur later in the day, according to party sources.

Despite his stormy tenure as minister, colleagues remember Nagesh for his approachable nature and dedication to the party's cause. His passing marks the end of an era in Tiptur's political landscape, where he was a familiar figure and a trusted leader.