In a mark of respect following the demise of veteran Congress leader and sitting MLA, Dr. Shamanur Shivashankarappa, the Davanagere District Administration has announced a holiday for all educational institutions on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Deputy Commissioner's Directive
The decision to close all schools and colleges, including primary, secondary, and higher education institutions, was issued by the Deputy Commissioner (District Collector) of Davanagere.
- The holiday applies to all Government, Aided, and Unaided schools and colleges across the Davanagere district.
- In addition to the district-level closure, Davanagere University and all its affiliated colleges, including autonomous and postgraduate centres, have also declared a holiday and postponed all exams scheduled for December 15.
- The notice from the district administration also instructed that the loss of the academic day must be compensated by conducting a full day of classes on the following Saturday, December 27, 2025.
A Tribute to a Statesman and Educationist
The decision to observe a holiday reflects the immense stature of Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 94 in Bengaluru.
Shamanur Shivashankarappa was not only a senior political leader and the country's oldest sitting MLA but was also widely revered as a dedicated educationist. He was the chief patron of the Bapuji Educational Association (BEA), which runs a vast network of educational institutions, including the Davanagere University, making him an instrumental figure in the educational development of the region.
The public holiday allows the community and the student fraternity to mourn the loss of a leader who dedicated decades of his life to public service and the promotion of education in the Davanagere region and Karnataka state.
