Source: Business Standard

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Mumbai Press Club paid tribute to veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Kuldip Nayar who died early morning today in Delhi.

Nayar was 95 and is survived by his wife and two sons.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called him a stalwart who was committed to democratic values.

In a tweet, Fadnavis said, "With the demise of Shri Kuldip Nayar ji, we have lost a stalwart journalist-editor. His commitment towards democratic values will be remembered forever. My tributes to him and deepest condolences to his family, friends and readers." 

In a statement, the Mumbai Press Club expressed deep anguish at Nayar's death and said that his expansive works would continue to inspire journalists across the country.

Nayar had, earlier, been a recipient of the RedInk Lifetume Achievement Award instituted by the Mumbai Press Club.

The statement also highlighted his activism as a journalist and mentioned that Nayar had been arrested during Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act.

It said that Nayar had opposed the Defamation Bill introduced by the Centre in the late 1980s which was seen as an attempt to contain free speech in India. It was later withdrawn by the Union government.

Nayar, known as a crusader for civil rights and press freedom, worked in several newspapers including as the editor in the Statesman.

He had also served as the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in the 1990s and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1997.

Nayar was also known for his efforts to improve frosty relationship between India and Pakistan including leading peace activists to light candles on the Independence days of Pakistan and India at the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar.

Nayar had written a number of best sellers including 'Beyond the Lines: An Autobiography' and Between the Lines, a book on politics.

Nayar was also one of the most respected syndicated columnist and his columns and op-eds were published in over 50 newspapers.

He was born in Pakistan's Sialkot in 1923 and he began his career in journalism in Urdu press.

Story first appeared in the Business Standard on 23rd Aug 2018