Veteran Indian journalist Kuldeep Nayar passes away

NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian journalist Kuldeep Nayar passed away on Wednesday night in a New Delhi Hospital. He was 95.

He was suffering from pneumonia and was admitted to a hospital five days back, his elder son Sudhir Nayar said.

Born at Sialkot in present-day Pakistan, Kuldeep Nayar graduated with a law degree from Lahore before moving to India after Partition.

He studied journalism and began his career with an Urdu newspaper called Anjam. He later headed various newspapers in Delhi and was a widely known columnist and wrote for newspapers across the world.

He served as high commissioner to Britain in 1990 and was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1997. Mr Nayar is survived by his wife and two sons.

Nayar had written a number of best sellers including ‘Beyond the Lines: An Autobiography’ and Between the Lines, a book on politics.

Expressing his condolence on the death of Nayyar, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a man who was “frank and fearless” in his views and an “intellectual giant.”

“I respect veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar ji, he fought for freedom during the emergency, he may be a harsh critic of us but I salute him for this,” he said.

Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2018

Indian President Kovind called Nayar “a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency.”

“Sad to hear of the passing of Kuldip Nayar, veteran editor and writer, diplomat and parliamentarian, and a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency. His readers will miss him. Condolences to his family and associates,” he wrote on Twitter.

Nayar was also known for his efforts to improve frosty relationship between India and Pakistan including leading peace activists to light candles on the Independence days of Pakistan and India at the Attari-Wagah border.

Sad to hear of the passing of Kuldip Nayar, veteran editor and writer, diplomat and parliamentarian, and a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency. His readers will miss him. Condolences to his family and associates #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 23, 2018

Champion of our democratic rights, civil liberties and at the forefront of those battles, Kuldip Nayar served India with distinction. His advocacy of people to people ties with Pakistan was special. His presence in current battles would have been a source of strength. Condolences pic.twitter.com/6FbLc5NNdP

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 23, 2018

Sorry to hear about sad demise of journalist and writer Shri Kuldip Nayar. India has lost a committed ambassador and campaigner for secularism and harmony.
Also he was one of the few journalists who took strong stand against Emergency. RIP

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) August 23, 2018