New Delhi: Satya Pal Malik, the former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir and a prominent figure in Indian politics for over five decades, passed away on Monday at the age of 79. He breathed his last at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi at around 1:10 PM, after a prolonged illness.
Malik had been admitted to RML Hospital in May this year after developing a severe urinary tract infection that led to kidney failure. According to doctors, both of his kidneys had stopped functioning, and he was undergoing regular dialysis in the Intensive Care Unit. His health had remained critical for weeks before his passing.
Born on July 24, 1946, in Hisawada village of Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, Malik began his political journey in 1974 as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He later served as a Rajya Sabha MP and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Aligarh as a Janata Dal candidate in 1989. Known for his socialist leanings and close association with veteran leader Ram Manohar Lohia, Malik’s political career spanned roles in multiple parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Over the years, Malik served as Governor of several states — Bihar, Odisha (additional charge), Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, and Meghalaya. His tenure as the last Governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir was historic, as he presided over the revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019. The move remains one of the most significant constitutional changes in independent India’s history.
In recent months, Malik found himself in the midst of controversy after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against him in connection with alleged irregularities in the ₹2,200 crore Kiru Hydropower Project. Malik denied the allegations, positioning himself as a whistleblower who had exposed corruption rather than engaged in it. His outspoken criticism of the ruling establishment in recent years had made him a frequent headline-maker.
Satya Pal Malik’s death marks the end of an era for a leader who combined grassroots connect with blunt political commentary. Known for his sharp wit and candid public statements, he enjoyed significant popularity among farmer and Jat communities. His passing comes on the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, the very decision that defined his gubernatorial tenure in Jammu & Kashmir.
