H. C. Dasappa (full name: Hirali Chanaya Dasappa; born- December 5, 1894, Mysore; died- October 20, 1964) had equal contribution in the ‘Indian freedom struggle’ and the re-construction of the country. Dasappa was a member of the ‘Mysore Assembly’ from 1927 to 1938. After India’s independence, he was also the Minister of Finance and Industry in the Mysore Cabinet. Dasappa had great respect for the creative works of Gandhiji.
H. C. Dasappa was born on December 5, 1894 in a place called ‘Merakara’ in the princely state of Mysore. He received law education from Mumbai and started practicing law. He also started taking interest in public works.
Dasappa joined a group called ‘Prajapaksha’ formed for public awareness in the native princely state and was a member of the ‘Mysore Assembly’ from 1927 to 1938. Dasappa’s wife ‘Yashodharamma’ was greatly influenced by Gandhiji’s thoughts. After independence, she also served as the Minister of Social Welfare in Mysore State. Due to the influence of his wife, Dasappa joined Congress and ‘Prajapaksha’ also merged with Congress. He took an active part in the freedom struggle and was sentenced to jail four times, including during the ‘Quit India Movement’. Due to these activities, the Mysore government banned him from practicing law.
After independence, Dasappa was the Minister of Finance and Industry in the Mysore Cabinet. While holding this post, he greatly encouraged the industrialization of Bangalore. Dasappa was elected member of the Rajya Sabha in 1954 and the Lok Sabha in 1957 and 1962. In 1963, he took over as Railway Minister in Jawahar Lal Nehru’s cabinet. In Shastriji’s cabinet, he was first the Irrigation and Energy Minister, then the Industry and Supply Minister.
Dasappa traveled to many countries as a representative of the country. Dasappa had great respect for the creative works of Gandhiji. Took many steps for the upliftment of Harijan and did pioneering work in establishing ‘Mysore Riyasat Hindi Prachar Samiti’ for the spread of Hindi.
On October 20, 1964, H.C. Dasappa passed away.