Veteran labour leader Ananth Subbarao passes away at 85; Bengaluru Chalo protest deferred

AITUC Karnataka President and transport workers’ joint action committee chief Ananth Subbarao dies of cardiac arrest in Bengaluru, hours before leading a major protest.

Senior labour leader and a prominent voice of Karnataka’s public transport workers, H.V. Ananth Subbarao (85), passed away on Tuesday evening following a cardiac arrest. He breathed his last around 5 pm while being taken to hospital. Family sources confirmed that he collapsed at his residence in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, and passed away on the way to the hospital. His mortal remains are currently kept at his home.

Ananth Subbarao was undergoing treatment for age-related health issues. He was rushed towards Global Hospital, Vijayanagar, but doctors declared him dead before admission.

The veteran leader was serving as the President of the Transport Workers’ Joint Action Committee and was also the President of AITUC Karnataka Committee until January 2026. Ironically, his death comes just a day before the state-wide transport workers’ strike and ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ protest, which he himself had called and was scheduled to lead on Wednesday.

In view of his demise, the Joint Action Committee has decided to defer the strike and Bengaluru Chalo programme. Committee leaders are currently holding discussions and said a final decision on future protest dates will be announced soon. The protest, earlier planned from 10 am to 4 pm at Freedom Park, stood cancelled for now, with leaders indicating that fresh dates may be announced in February.

Ananth Subbarao hailed from Arakalgud taluk of Hassan district and entered the trade union movement in the 1990s. He began his journey as a leader in the LIC Employees’ Union, later emerging as one of the most influential labour leaders in the state. A senior leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), he also contested Karnataka Assembly elections on a CPI ticket.

He served as the longest-serving General Secretary of AITUC in Karnataka, expanding the organisation into new sectors such as scheme workers and public transport employees. Under his leadership, unions in major industries like ITC and MICO Bosch were strengthened. For over 50 years, he worked closely with public transport workers and was jailed multiple times during various strikes and agitations.

Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in a post on X, described Ananth Subbarao as a close associate and a tireless fighter who led several labour movements over four decades, calling his death an “irreparable loss to the working class”.

ಭಾರತ ಕಮ್ಯುನಿಸ್ಟ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಾಯಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಮುಖಂಡರಾದ ಎಚ್‌.ವಿ. ಅನಂತ ಸುಬ್ಬರಾವ್ ಅವರು ನಿಧನರಾದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತಿಳಿದು ದುಃಖವಾಯಿತು.

ಸುದೀರ್ಘ ನಾಲ್ಕು ದಶಕಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಮುಖಂಡರಾಗಿ ಅನೇಕ ಚಳವಳಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮುನ್ನಡೆಸಿದ್ದ ಹೋರಾಟಗಾರ ಅನಂತ ಸುಬ್ಬರಾವ್ ನನಗೂ ಆತ್ಮೀಯರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ದಣಿವರಿಯದ ಹೋರಾಟದ ಛಲ ಮತ್ತು… pic.twitter.com/DBt7Flfqqd

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 28, 2026

Ananth Subbarao is survived by his wife Nagratna, daughters Rekha and Jyoti. Rekha, the elder daughter, resides in the United States and is expected to return by January 30. After her arrival, the family has decided to donate his body to a government medical college, reflecting his lifelong commitment to public service. The family has also consented to eye donation.

Arrangements are being made for the public to pay their last respects, with Chowdiah Memorial Hall being considered as the venue. Several dignitaries, including the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister, are expected to attend the final homage.