Satya Pal Malik, the outspoken former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, passed away at 79 in Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after a prolonged illness. From his early days as a student leader to his pivotal role during the abrogation of Article 370, Malik’s political career was marked by bold moves and vocal advocacy for farmers and Jat issues. Explore his remarkable journey and lasting legacy.

Veteran politician and former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, passed away on August 5, 2025, at 1:12 PM at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness. Malik, aged 79, succumbed to complications arising from a severe urinary tract infection that led to kidney failure, a condition that had kept him on a ventilator in the ICU since May 2025. His death marks the end of a storied political career that spanned decades, multiple parties, and significant roles across Indian states.

Born in July 1946 in Hisawada village, Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, Satya Pal Malik emerged from humble beginnings to become a prominent Jat leader and a key figure in Indian politics. His political journey began in the late 1960s as a student leader at Meerut College, where he served as the student union president in 1968–69. Inspired by the socialist ideology of Ram Manohar Lohia, Malik entered mainstream politics in 1974, winning the Baghpat seat in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly as a member of Chaudhary Charan Singh’s Bharatiya Kranti Dal. This victory laid the foundation for a career that would see him navigate the complex landscape of Indian politics with agility and conviction.

Malik’s political affiliations evolved over the years, reflecting his adaptability and commitment to public service. In 1980, he joined the Lok Dal and was elected to the Rajya Sabha, serving two terms until 1989. His stint with the Congress party in the mid-1980s was brief, as he left in 1986 amid the Bofors scandal, co-founding the Jan Morcha. By 1989, he won a Lok Sabha seat from Aligarh on a Janata Dal ticket. Malik later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2004, rising to become its national vice-president in 2012. His gubernatorial roles began in 2017 with Bihar, followed by brief additional charge in Odisha, before his appointment as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2018.

Malik’s tenure as the last Governor of Jammu and Kashmir was historic, coinciding with the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which revoked the region’s special status and led to its reorganization into two Union Territories. His time in office also saw the tragic Pulwama terror attack, where he later claimed there were significant lapses, including ignored requests for air transport for CRPF personnel. These remarks, along with his criticism of the central government, positioned him as a vocal critic of the BJP in his later years, particularly on farmers’ issues and Jat community concerns.

After Jammu and Kashmir, Malik served as Governor of Goa and Meghalaya until 2022. His outspoken nature, especially on the 2020–2021 farmers’ protests, made him a polarizing figure. He accused the government of mishandling key issues, drawing both praise and criticism. Despite a CBI chargesheet in 2025 linking him to an alleged corruption case in the Kiru Hydroelectric Project, his aide dismissed the charges as “vendetta politics,” emphasizing Malik’s integrity.

Satya Pal Malik’s passing has elicited tributes across the political spectrum, with many remembering him as a fearless leader who championed farmers’ rights and spoke truth to power. His journey from a student activist to a governor of multiple states reflects a life dedicated to public service, leaving an indelible mark on Indian politics.

As the nation mourns, Malik’s legacy as a bold, principled, and outspoken leader endures, particularly in his advocacy for marginalized communities and his unwavering commitment to justice.