Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, passed away today, August 5, 2025, at the age of 79, following a prolonged illness while receiving treatment at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
🔍 *At a glance:*
Satya Pal Malik served as the final Governor of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir from August 2018 to October 2019, overseeing the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two union territories .
He was admitted to the hospital on May 11, 2025, with a complex urinary tract infection which developed into multi-organ failure and septic shock. He had a medical history that included diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, morbid obesity, and sleep apnea, among other complications .
He passed away at approximately 1:12 pm IST while under intensive care in the ICU .
🧭 Legacy & tributes:
Malik’s career spanned five decades, evolving from an MLA in UP’s Bharatiya Kranti Dal (1970s) to roles in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, later transitioning to various gubernatorial posts across Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, and Meghalaya between 2017 and 2022 .
His tenure became especially notable during the Pulwama terror attack, the revocation of Article 370, and the state’s reorganisation. In later years, he became known for bold public statements, including critical remarks on the Pulwama incident, central governance, farmers’ protests, and corruption allegations—a tone that earned broad political attention and sparked controversy .
Prominent figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Arvind Kejriwal, paid tributes, highlighting his persona as a farmer-friendly and fearless voice in Indian politics.
