Karnataka - Bangalore

Y.K. Rajagopal is dead

Staff Reporter

Y.K. Rajagopal

Bangalore: Y.K. Rajagopal, who became famous for his scoop on the Meherchand Mahajan Commission Report on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border issue in the Deccan Herald when he was its chief reporter in the 1960s died at an orphanage on Tuesday. He was 87.

Mr. Rajagopal, who started his career in the textiles business, plunged into the socialist movement in the 1940s and was involved in the movement for establishing a popular government in Mysore after India secured independence.

He also worked for several news agencies for over three decades.

A bachelor, Mr. Rajagopal was reduced to penury and was forced to live in an orphanage in his last years, as his sisters and step-mother shifted to Chintamani in Kolar district from Bangalore.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee M. Mallikarjun Kharge have condoled the death of Mr. Rajagopal.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said Mr. Rajagopal was a Gandhian and was known for his objective reporting.

Mr. Kharge said the death of Mr. Rajagopal was a great loss to the State.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has also mourned the death of Mr. Rajagopal.

In a release, he said Mr. Rajagopal's death was a big loss to journalism.

In another release, the Karnataka Union of Working of Journalists condoled the passing away of Mr. Rajagopal.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu