Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the passing of former parliamentarian and governor Satyapal Malik, who died at 1:12 p.m. on Tuesday at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi after a prolonged illness. Malik, aged 79, succumbed to complications from a urinary tract infection, diabetic kidney disease, and multi-organ dysfunction, according to the hospital’s statement.
“Saddened by the passing away of Shri Satyapal Malik Ji. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” Modi posted on X. Other leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, also paid tributes, praising Malik’s farmer-friendly stance and fearless voice.
A socialist inspired by Ram Manohar Lohia, Malik began his political journey in the 1960s, winning the Baghpat Assembly seat in 1974 with the Bharatiya Kranti Dal. He served as a Rajya Sabha member (1980-89), Lok Sabha MP from Aligarh (1989-91), and Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism (1990). Joining the BJP in 2004, he became its national vice-president in 2012 and was appointed governor of Bihar (2017-18), Jammu and Kashmir (2018-19), Goa (2019-20), and Meghalaya (2020-22). His tenure as J&K’s last governor saw the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Also Read: Former J&K Governor Satyapal Malik Passes Away at 79
Malik’s later years were marked by vocal criticism of the Modi government, particularly over the 2019 Pulwama attack, where he alleged security lapses and claimed the Centre denied CRPF’s request for air transport, leading to 40 deaths. He also opposed the 2020 farm laws, supporting farmers’ protests and alleging corruption in the Kiru Hydropower Project, claims that led to a CBI chargesheet against him in 2025. His outspokenness strained ties with the BJP, with Malik urging voters to back the opposition in 2024.
Malik’s death, on the sixth anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation, closes a turbulent chapter in Indian politics, remembered for his bold stands and farmer advocacy.
Also Read: PM Modi Mourns Uttarkashi Cloudburst Tragedy