Kuldip Nayar, Veteran Journalist And Human Rights Activist, Passes Away at 95

Born in Pakistan’s Sialkot in 1923, Nayyar was a former high commissioner of Indian to the United Kingdom.

Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar passed away on Wednesday night in a Delhi hospital. He was 95. Nayyar’s last rites will be held at 1 pm today at Delhi’s Lodhi crematorium.

Nayyar died at around 12.30 AM at a private hospital, his elder son Sudhir Nayyar said. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolence on Nayar’s death, calling him an “intellectual giant of our times”.

“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,” tweeted PM Modi.

President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: “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”.

Born in Pakistan’s Sialkot in 1923, Nayar was a former high commissioner of Indian to the United Kingdom.

Kuldip started his career in Urdu journalism and worked as an Editor in The Statement. He was one of the scribes arrested during the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Nayar was appointed High Commissioner to Great Britain in 1990 and nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1997.

Some of his famous works include Beyond the Lines, Distant Neighbours: A Tale of the Subcontinent, India after Nehru, In Jail, Wall at Wagah, India-Pakistan Relationship, The Judgement and Without Fear: The Life and Trial of Bhagat Singh.