05 August,2025 05:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik. PIC/X
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the demise of former Governor Satyapal Malik.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "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."
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also expressed profound grief over Malik's passing, calling it an "extremely sorrowful" loss.
"The passing of Shri Satya Pal Malik Ji, former Governor and member of the 9th Lok Sabha, is extremely sorrowful. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the grieving family and supporters," Birla posted on X.
Malik, who served as the governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir Governor from August 2018 to October 2019, passed away in the national capital on Tuesday following a prolonged illness. The 79-year-old leader breathed his last at 1.10 pm at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, his Personal Secretary KS Rana informed.
His tenure as the Jammu and Kashmir Governor witnessed the abrogation of Article 370, bifurcating the state into two Union Territories - Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh.
Inspired by the socialist ideology of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Malik entered politics in 1965-66. His leadership qualities emerged early as he served as President of the Meerut College Students' Union in 1966-67 and later as President of the Students' Union of the then Meerut University (now Chaudhary Charan Singh University) in 1968-69.
He made his legislative debut in 1974, winning the Baghpat Assembly seat on a Bharatiya Kranti Dal ticket, and was appointed the party's Chief Whip in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. His political influence grew further in 1975 when he became the All-India General Secretary of the newly formed Lok Dal. In 1980, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Lok Dal.
After a brief break from politics, Malik joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2004 and contested from the Baghpat Lok Sabha seat. Over the following years, he rose steadily in the party, serving as Vice President of the Uttar Pradesh BJP (2005-06), All-India Incharge of the BJP Kisan Morcha (2009), and National Vice President of the BJP in 2012. He was instrumental in shaping the party's agricultural manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and was reappointed National Vice President that year, addressing several farmer rallies nationwide.
In 2017, in recognition of his long-standing contribution to public life, Malik was appointed Governor of Bihar. On August 23, 2018, he took oath as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
Throughout his political career, he held various significant positions, including Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1974-77), Member of Parliament in both the Rajya Sabha (1980-84, 1986-89) and Lok Sabha (1989-91), and Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism (April-November 1990). He also served on the Panel of Chairmen in the Rajya Sabha and the Panel of Speakers in the Lok Sabha during his tenure.
(With ANI inputs)
