J&K Governor Satyapal Malik Passes Away During Pulwama Attack, following the shift of Article 370
Former Governor Satyapal Malik Passes Away at 79
Veteran politician Satyapal Malik, known for his stint as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during the revocation of the region's special status in 2019, passed away at the age of 79.
Malik, who served in various political parties including the Congress, Lok Dal, and Samajwadi Party, was under treatment at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital due to kidney-related ailments.
In his final years, Malik made significant allegations against the Narendra Modi government. He accused the Centre of exploiting the 2019 Pulwama terror attack for political gains and being involved in corruption linked to a hydropower project in Kashmir.
Malik openly criticized the Modi administration for its arrogance during discussions on farmers' issues and condemned government policies such as the Agniveer scheme and treatment of farmers. He warned that Modi's re-election would harm farming and benefit corporates.
The former Governor claimed he was offered bribes of Rs 150 crore but maintained his integrity, stating he had flagged corruption in the Kiru hydel project, which led to a CBI investigation and chargesheet against him and others in 2025. He asserted that the government was trying to frame him in false corruption charges, revealing that he had canceled the tender after informing the Prime Minister, yet the contract was executed with forged signatures after his transfer.
However, the BJP and government sources largely dismissed Malik’s statements as politically motivated attempts to revive his political career. The corruption investigation continues independently, with the CBI conducting raids, recovering evidence, and charging Malik along with other officials involved in alleged irregularities.
Malik backed the farmers protesting against the now-scrapped farm laws and his criticism of the Centre brought him closer to the Opposition camp. The BJP responded to his criticism by sharing clips of him praising the government and questioning his credibility.
Malik started his political journey as a student leader and was elected MLA of Chaudhary Charan Singh's Bharatiya Kranti Dal in 1974. He served as a Rajya Sabha MP and later as Janata Dal's Lok Sabha MP from Aligarh. Following his stint in Jammu and Kashmir, Malik served as Governor of Goa and Meghalaya.
In 2023, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi interviewed Malik and reiterated his allegations. In a 2023 interview, Malik flagged the lapses that led to the Pulwama attack and alleged that the Centre had asked him to stay silent. Gandhi, now Leader of the Opposition, met Malik at the hospital in May.
In August 2018, Malik was named the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. During his tenure, he served as the Governor when the Pulwama terror attack occurred, claiming the lives of 40 CRPF personnel. Malik claimed the CRPF's request for aircraft had been turned down, and the troops were targeted when they were travelling by road.
Malik served in various political roles, switching parties multiple times. He served as a Governor of Bihar and later given additional charge of Odisha in 2017. His political journey began as a student leader, and he served as MLA in 1974.
Malik's passing marks the end of a political career marked by controversy, criticism, and allegations. His final years saw him take on the Centre, making bold allegations and standing by his convictions. His legacy will continue to be debated and analysed in the political circles of India.
[1] India Today [2] The Hindu [3] NDTV [4] The Times of India [5] Business Standard
- Malik's allegations against the Narendra Modi government, including his claims of corruption in the Kiru hydel project, received widespread coverage in general news sources like The Times of India and Business Standard.
- While Malik's criticism of the Modi administration and support for farmers' protests may have brought him closer to the Opposition camp, his assertions were met with skepticism by the BJP, as evidenced in political debates featured on India Today and NDTV.
- Malik's political career, spanning multiple parties and roles, was not limited to domestic politics; his stints as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Goa involved navigating war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation at the regional level, as reported by The Hindu.
- In the world of sports and sports-betting, Malik's name may not be as well-known, but his political career was often as tumultuous as a high-stakes car-accident, with twists and turns that kept observers captivated for decades.
