Satya Pal Malik, a veteran politician and the last Governor of Jammu & Kashmir before its reorganization, passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after a prolonged illness. He was 79.
Known for his outspoken views and willingness to challenge authority, Malik was one of the rare political figures who openly criticized the Narendra Modi-led government while holding a constitutional position. His passing coincides with the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370—an event he oversaw during his tenure in Jammu & Kashmir.
A Life in Politics, Rooted in the Fields
Born in 1946 in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, to a farmer’s family, Malik entered public life through student politics at Meerut University. After the early death of his father, he pursued law and developed a lasting interest in poetry and history.
He began his political journey in 1974, winning an Assembly seat on a Bharatiya Kranti Dal ticket under the mentorship of Chaudhary Charan Singh. Over the next five decades, Malik’s career spanned various parties, including the Congress, Janata Dal, and BJP, reflecting his shifting ideological priorities but consistent advocacy for farmers.
In 1980, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh as a Congress member. He later joined the Janata Dal and served as a minister in V.P. Singh’s government after winning the Aligarh Lok Sabha seat in 1989. That would be his last electoral win, though he remained active in politics.
Long Road with the BJP, Sudden Split
Malik joined the BJP in 2004, contesting against Ajit Singh in Baghpat, and was eventually appointed the party’s national vice-president in 2012. As a prominent Jat face post-Muzaffarnagar riots, he played a key role in reviving the BJP’s base in western UP, especially among sugarcane farmers.
In 2017, he was appointed Governor of Bihar, and the following year, he was moved to Jammu & Kashmir. After Article 370 was revoked in 2019, reducing the state to a Union Territory, he was transferred to Goa and then to Meghalaya.
Despite being a loyal party member, Malik’s relationship with the BJP took a sharp turn during the 2020–21 farmers’ protests. He publicly supported the agitation and criticized the government for its handling of the issue. His criticism of the Prime Minister’s response to the Pulwama attack and later, the Pahalgam attack, further widened the rift.
Facing Legal Heat, Holding His Ground
In May 2025, shortly before his death, the CBI filed a charge sheet naming Malik and five others in an alleged ₹2,200 crore corruption case related to the Kiru Hydropower project. Malik denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and linked to his vocal support for farmers and protesting wrestlers.
In a post dated June 7, he reiterated his innocence and said he was being targeted for standing by his principles. He also claimed he had previously informed the government about being offered bribes during his tenure in Jammu & Kashmir—a claim he said had once earned him praise from the top leadership.
Complex Legacy
While some viewed Malik’s later criticism of the BJP as opportunistic—especially after being passed over for the Vice President’s post in favor of Jagdeep Dhankhar—he insisted it was a matter of principle. He remained largely neutral on the constitutional changes in Jammu & Kashmir, stating that he followed the Centre’s instructions.
Even as he distanced himself from Prime Minister Modi, Malik maintained a quieter relationship with Home Minister Amit Shah, with whom he reportedly never severed ties completely.
A Final Farewell
Satya Pal Malik is survived by his wife, Iqbal Malik, a respected environmentalist and educator, and his son, Dev Kabir Malik, a noted graphic designer.
Prime Minister Modi led tributes on social media, remembering Malik’s contributions to public life.
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