New Delhi, Aug 05 :
Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satyapal Malik passed away on Tuesday at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi.
In a post on X from his official handle, his Personal Secretary Kanwar Singh Rana said, “Former Governor Satyapal Malik has passed away due to a prolonged illness. His mortal remains will be kept at his house in Som Vihar in RK Puram on Wednesday from 9 AM to 2 PM. His last rites will be held at the Lodhi Road crematorium. His final journey will start at 3 PM” He was 79.
RML Hospital in a statement, “It is with deep regret that we confirm the demise of Satyapal Malik, who had been receiving intensive care at our facility. The patient had a longstanding history of diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, and other chronic health issues, including morbid obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.”
“He was admitted with us on 11-5-2025 at 12:04 pm with a complicated urinary tract infection and subsequently developed refractory septic shock secondary to urinary tract infection, hospital-acquired pneumonia
Former J&K Governor
and multi-organ dysfunction. Despite all appropriate and aggressive medical interventions, including multiple antibiotics and cytosorb 2 sessions, including ventilatory support and critical care management, his condition continued to deteriorate. He also developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease needing multiple hemodialysis sessions,” the hospital said.
“Malik sadly passed away on 5 August 2025 at 1:12 pm,” the statement added. In his long political career, Malik also served as the Governor of Bihar, the Governor of Goa and the Governor of Meghalaya. He also served as the Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism from April 2, 1990, to November 10, 1990.
He served as the Governor of Bihar from October 4, 2017, to August 22, 2018. He served as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 23, 2018, to November 2, 2019. He was the Governor of Goa from November 3, 2019, to August 18, 2020. He served as the Governor of Meghalaya from August 19, 2020, to October 3, 2022.
In the 1960s, Malik entered politics after he was inspired by the socialist ideology of Ram Manohar Lohia. From 1966 to 1967, he served as the President of Meerut College Students Union. In 1968-69, he was elected as the President of Students’ Union of the then Meerut University, now Choudhary Charan Singh University.
In 1974, he was elected as a Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly contesting on the ticket of Bhartiya Kranti Dal from Baghpat Assembly Constituency and appointed as the Party’s Chief Whip in the Assembly. In 1975, he was named as the All-India General Secretary of the newly formed ‘Lok Dal.
In 1980, he was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member from the ‘Lok Dal’. In 1984, Malik joined the Indian National Congress (INC).
In 1986, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the Congress and was appointed as the General Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. In 1987, he resigned from the Rajya Sabha as well as the membership of Congress and formed a political party, ‘Jan Morcha’, which was merged with the Janata Dal in 1988.
Later, along with Vishwanath Pratap Singh, he addressed many public meetings all over the country and joined the Jan-Jagran. From 1987-91, he served as the Secretary and Spokesperson of ‘Janata Dal’.
In 1989, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Aligarh on a Janata Dal ticket. In 2004, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contested from the Baghpat Lok Sabha seat.
In 2005-06, he was named as the Vice President of BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit. In 2009, he was appointed as All-India Incharge, Kissan Morcha of the BJP.
In 2012, Malik was appointed as the National Vice President of the BJP. In 2014, he imparted important services as the Chairman of Sub-Committee of the ‘Manifesto’ on agricultural issues before the 2014 Lok Sabha election. He was also re-appointed as the BJP’s National Vice President.
Malik would be accorded a state funeral.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the death of Satyapal Malik. In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Saddened by the passing away of Shri Satyapal Malik Ji. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”
President Droupadi Murmu also offered her condolences. In a post on X, she said, “The news of Shri Satyapal Malik ji’s passing is saddening. I express my condolences to his family and supporters.”
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, offered his condolences. In a post on X, Gandhi said, “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of former Governor Satyapal Malik ji. I will always remember him as a person who, until his last moment, fearlessly spoke the truth and advocated for the interests of the people. I express my deepest condolences to his family, supporters, and well-wishers.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin remembered Malik as someone who rose through the system and dared to speak the truth. In a post on X, Stalin said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Thiru. Satya Pal Malik. A man who rose through the system, yet dared to speak truth to power. His conscience did not retire with his office. History will remember not just the posts he held, but the stands he took. (sic).”
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee offered her condolences. In a post on X, Banerjee said, “Saddened by the demise of Satya Pal Malik ji, former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, who became famous in Indian politics by uttering some truths, which few dare to do. My condolences to his family, friends and followers. Satya Pal ji spoke bravely in support of Indian farmers’ protests and in support of some unpleasant truth involved in case of the Pulwama attack. Such courage deserves our salute, and I offer that salute again, today. May his soul rest in peace. (sic).”
