The 91-year-old former chief minister passed away in Dehradun on Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of grief across political and public spheres. At the cremation ceremony, personnel from the Army and Police presented a ceremonial guard of honour as the distinguished leader was accorded a solemn farewell.
The last rites were performed by his son, Manish Khanduri. His daughter, Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, described her father as a leader who embodied military discipline while dedicating his life to public service.
Several senior political leaders attended the funeral, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, former Maharashtra Governor and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, former Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, former Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, Union Minister of State Ajay Tamta, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Anil Baluni, and former Union Minister Ajay Bhatt. Cabinet ministers, legislators, and spiritual leaders were also present in large numbers.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, paying tribute, stated that Khanduri’s life symbolized simplicity, discipline, and honesty. He noted that whether serving in the Army, as a Union Minister, or as Chief Minister, Khanduri performed every responsibility with unwavering dedication, and his contributions to governance and institutional reforms would continue to inspire future generations.
Following directives from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government declared a public holiday and announced a three-day state mourning from May 19 to May 21. During this period, the national flag will fly at half-mast across all government institutions, and all official entertainment programmes have been suspended.
Khanduri served in the Indian Army for nearly four decades from 1954 to 1991, rising to the rank of Major General before entering politics. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991 from the Garhwal constituency and went on to win the seat four times, earning a reputation as a principled and disciplined parliamentarian. He also served as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways from 2000 to 2004.
The final farewell to B. C. Khanduri concluded with full state honours, underscoring his enduring legacy as a soldier, administrator, and statesman whose life remained defined by discipline, service, and integrity.
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