Satyapal Malik, Former J&K Governor and Veteran Politician, Dies at 79

New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor and seasoned political leader Satyapal Malik, known for his bold opinions and steadfast support for farmers and the underprivileged, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79. He died around 1 PM at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, where he had been receiving treatment for a prolonged illness.

His death has drawn condolences from across the political spectrum, with many remembering him as a fearless voice in Indian politics who never shied away from speaking the truth.

Atishi, Delhi’s Leader of Opposition and former Deputy Chief Minister, expressed her sorrow, saying, “We pray to God to grant him a place at His divine feet and to give strength to his family during this difficult time.”

Veteran JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi, who shared a decades-long political journey with Malik, recalled their association fondly. “This is heartbreaking for me. We spent over 50 years together in politics — from the Charan Singh era to the Emergency, V.P. Singh, the NDA under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and even PM Modi’s tenure. Malik was a sharp thinker, an excellent orator, and a man deeply connected to social and economic realities,” he said.

Samajwadi Party MP S.T. Hasan called him “a true soldier of democracy.” Speaking to IANS, he said, “India has lost one of its bravest voices — someone who never feared speaking the truth.”

Offering his tribute, Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary said, “He fought for what he believed in — not just for himself, but for the country. His journey is one that young people should look up to.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Rashtriya Lok Dal MP Chandan Chauhan said, “He dedicated his life to the poor and farmers. The best way to honour him would be to continue the work he stood for. His absence will be deeply felt.”

Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma added, “He was a people’s leader, especially close to farmers. His contributions, particularly during his time as Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, were significant.”

A Multifaceted Political Journey
Born on July 24, 1946, in Hisawada village of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, Satyapal Malik earned a B.Sc. and LL.B from Meerut University before stepping into politics. His early political affiliations included the Bharatiya Kranti Dal, later transitioning through various parties including the Janata Dal, Congress, Lok Dal, Samajwadi Party, and eventually the BJP.

He began his legislative career as an MLA in Uttar Pradesh (1974–1977) and served in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1989. In the 9th Lok Sabha (1989–1991), he represented Aligarh as an MP.

His gubernatorial career included key constitutional posts: Governor of Bihar (2017), additional charge as Governor of Odisha (2018), and most notably, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (2018–2019). His tenure in J&K coincided with a critical chapter in India’s history — the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the state into two Union Territories.

Throughout his political life, Malik was known for his independent voice, often speaking out on national issues, even when his views ran counter to the establishment. His passing has created a vacuum in Indian public life — one that admirers say will not be easily filled.