Introduction
August 5, 2025 will be remembered as the day India lost one of its most fearless voices Satya Pal Malik. The former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar, Goa, and Meghalaya passed away at the age of 79 in Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, after battling kidney related complications for months.
For many years, Malik was not only a political personality but a blunt-spoken, no-holds-barred leader who never shied away from telling the government the truth even at the cost of going solo. From his involvement in the landmark abrogation of Article 370 to his vocal endorsement of farmers, Malik’s political career was a mix of guts, controversy, and conviction. His death is really the end of an era in Indian politics.
Early Life: From the Farmer’s Son to to a Public Figure
Satya Pal Malik was born on 24th July 1946 in Hisawada village of Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district. His life, away from the spotlight of politics, started way off from it. Satya Pal Malik belonged to a farmer family. He was aware of the plight of village life, the unpredictability of crops, the weight of loans, and the need for group solidarity.
Education was his stepping stone. He pursued Science and Law at Meerut University, where his innate leadership qualities came to the fore. Malik was chosen President of his college and subsequently the Meerut University Students’ Union an indication of his people skills and ability to express their concerns and remain resolute on his convictions.
A Political Journey Without Boundaries
Unlike most politicians who remain committed to one party, Malik’s career was one of change but never compromise. He started his political career with Charan Singh’s Bharatiya Kranti Dal, getting elected to his first MLA seat in 1974 from Baghpat. Throughout the years, he has served with the Lok Dal, Congress, Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, and finally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
His critics labeled him a “political nomad,” but Malik had a one-word reply — his allegiance was to the people, not to a party emblem. If a platform was not congruent with his morals, he departed, but his voice never wavered.
Governor of Four States and the Day That Defined Him
Satya Pal Malik’s administrative life, too, was no less dramatic. He was Governor of Bihar (2017–2018), had additional charge of Odisha (2018), and thereafter Governor of Jammu & Kashmir (2018–2019), subsequently shifting to Goa (2019–2020) and Meghalaya (2020–2022).
It was in Jammu & Kashmir that he would become a name to be in the history books. It was during his tenure as the governor, on August 5, 2019, that the Government of India revoked Article 370 abolishing J&K’s special status and further reorganizing it into two Union Territories. This move would forever alter the political topography of the region and Malik would emerge as the man at the center of one of the most debated decisions made by independent India.
The Governor Who Wouldn’t Keep Quiet
Most governors are accustomed to diplomacy and guarded utterances. Malik, however, was not, he spoke from the heart, even when it made feathers ruffle.
On Pulwama Attack (2023) – He stated CRPF soldiers had asked for air transport but were refused, a statement that rocked the entire country into debate.
On Governance During a visit to Goa, he famously said, “Many governors spend more time playing golf and drinking wine than working.”
On Farmers’ Protest (2021) – He publicly supported farmers, cautioning the government against underestimating Sikh and Jat communities.
These weren’t political tactical maneuvers they were manifestations of his personality: direct, forthright, and forthright.
Storm Clouds: The Kiru Hydropower Allegations
Even in his last year, Malik remained embroiled in controversy. In May 2025, the CBI filed a chargesheet against him on charges of misconduct in the award of contracts for the Kiru Hydropower Project in Jammu & Kashmir.
He rejected all charges as politically driven attempts to smear his reputation. In one of his final public statements, he just said: “Halat kharab hai” a phrase which described both his condition and his exasperation.
The Final Days
Malik had been in poor health for months because of kidney issues. Attended by family, he spent his final weeks at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. On August 5, 2025, at 1:12 PM sharp, the country lost him.
In a near-poetic turn of events, he passed away precisely six years from the date of the abrogation of Article 370, the defining moment of his political life.
A Nation Pays Tribute
The news of his death was met with moving tributes across the political aisle:
PM Narendra Modi referred to him as “a fearless administrator and committed public servant.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recalled him as a man of great courage.
Mamata Banerjee acknowledged his integrity in public life.
Farmer unions lamented “a leader who knew the earth”.
For a man who frequently found himself at odds with authority, the broad respect he earned in death was a testament to what he had achieved.
Legacy: Courage Above All Else
Satya Pal Malik’s life is testimony to integrity in politics with respect and opposition.
He was:
A son of a farmer who never lost his roots.
A political survivor who evolved without sacrificing his fundamental values.
A truth-teller who never feared defying authority.
A governor who was instrumental in one of India’s most significant political transitions.
He leaves a legacy of gutsiness, integrity, and service to the public — not commonly found in today’s politics.
Learn More
- Satya Pal Malik passes away at 79 – NDTV Report
- Article 370 Abrogation – PIB Official Release
- Farmers’ Protest 2020–21 – The Hindu Coverage
- Kiru Hydropower Project Allegations – Indian Express
