Shillong, Aug 5: Former Meghalaya Governor Satyapal Malik died on Tuesday at New Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 79.
The veteran farmer leader, whose political career spanned five decades and several parties, held multiple high-profile gubernatorial posts, besides being a member of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in his long political career.
According to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Malik was in the ICU for a long time, getting treatment for various ailments.
“It is with deep regret that we confirm the demise of Satyapal Malik, who had been receiving intensive care at our facility,” the RML authorities said in a statement.
The patient had a longstanding history of diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, and other chronic health issues, including morbid obesity and obstructive sleep apnea, it said.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Satya Pal Malik ji,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma wrote on X.
“Shri Satya Pal ji was a warm and gracious individual, deeply enthusiastic to the development of Meghalaya. His boldness, clarity of thought, and unwavering support in our collective efforts will always be remembered. I join the people of Meghalaya in extending heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace,” Sangma said.
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly condoled the demise of Malik stating that he will be remembered for his integrity and courage to speak on matters of national importance.
“A humble, kind-hearted, and principled leader, Shri Malik will be remembered for his integrity, depth of knowledge, and courage to speak on matters of national importance,” the Assembly secretariat said in a statement.
The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) held a solemn condolence meeting in memory of Malik at the iconic clock tower in its Khanapara campus.
“Satyapal Malik was deeply fond of USTM and held great admiration for its mission and vision of inclusive education and nation-building,” the university said.
Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque recalled his presence at USTM’s 8th Convocation and the special honour he was bestowed upon with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2022.
“His fearless voice, unwavering commitment to democratic values, and principled leadership will continue to inspire us all. May his noble soul rest in eternal peace” the USTM said.
Malik was the Governor of Meghalaya from October 18, 2020 to October 3, 2022. He served as the governor of four states — Bihar (2017), Jammu and Kashmir (2018), Goa (2019), and Meghalaya (2020). He was also given the additional charge to serve as the governor of Odisha for a brief period.
However, his most impactful assignment commenced in August 2018, when he was named the governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
Though he rose to prominence as a loyalist in the BJP, his recent years have been characterised by his vociferous condemnation of the central government’s policies, reworking his public image from that of a seasoned administrator to that of a vocal dissident.
The tenure saw two significant events — the 2019 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives, and the August 5, 2019, revocation of Article 370 and the division of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Malik was the last governor of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Coincidentally, he took his last breath on the sixth anniversary of the Centre’s move to abrogate Article 370.
Malik stirred a huge controversy after alleging that he was offered a bribe to clear files of two major projects in Jammu and Kashmir and questioned the BJP-led central government over issues related to farmers and the Pulwama terror attack, among others.
The CBI, which took over the probe into the two issues flagged by Malik, had filed a charge sheet against him in May this year in one of the cases about the Rs 2,200-crore Kiru hydropower project. (With PTI inputs)
