Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has condoled the death of Meerathayi Koppikar (98), a veteran freedom fighter and a true Gandhian.

In a condolence message, he said Meerathayi was following the Gandhian principles till her last days and also a follower of Acharya Vinobha Bhave. She had built Vatsalya Dhama in Mudhol, Bagalakote District where she was leading a simple life doing dairying and organic farming. The cash which she got as a reward with Kannada Rajyotsava Award was also spent on poor people, he observed.

Meerathayi was a selfless personality and Karnataka has lost a great Gandhian. May her soul rest in peace, the CM said.