Channaiah A. Itnalmath, veteran journalist, activist, and pro-Kannada campaigner, died in Athani in Belagavi district on Monday. The 62-year-old writer was undergoing treatment for rectal cancer, family sources said.
He is survived by his mother, wife and son Abhinav Itnalmath, a student of medicine.
A bilingual journalist, Mr. Itnalmath had worked for decades in Kannada and English newspapers. Before joining the newsroom, he had worked for Vimochana Sansthe, founded by B.L. Patil, for the rehabilitation of Devadasis and the education of their children. He was involved in running a school for the children of Devadasis in Athani and a clinic in Saundatti.
Mr. Itnalmath was respected for his in-depth understanding of various social and political issues.
He led several campaigns through his reports. They included comprehensive irrigation of the drier regions of Belagavi district like Athani, Nippani and Ramdurg, and creation of a new Athani district. His stories also gave voice to the woes of Kannada speaking communities in neighbouring Jath in Maharashtra.
KLE society chairman Prabhakar Kore offered his condolences. Mr. Itnalmath was known for his dedication to truth and impactful reporting over a career. His analytical stories and sharp political commentary left a lasting impression on the readers. His journalistic contributions played a significant role in highlighting local issues and influencing public discourse in the region, Mr. Kore said.
Mahantesh Kavatagimath, former MLC and KLE society director, said that Mr. Itnalmath had been a relentless campaigner for the cause of northern Karnataka. “He would follow up on development issues long after others had forgotten them. His articles provided content for legislators who spoke in the winter session of the legislature,” he said.
Published – July 14, 2025 08:49 pm IST
