Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar passes away, tributes pour in

Veteran journalist and columnist Kuldip Nayar passed away on Thursday morning. He was 95. He was the author of 15 books including “Beyond the Lines”, “India after Nehru” and “Emergency Retold”. His last rites will be performed at 1 pm at a crematorium on Lodhi Road in Delhi on Thursday.

Kuldip Nayar (born 14 August 1923) was a veteran Indian journalist, syndicated columnist, human right activist, author and ex-High commissioner of India to United kingdom noted for his long career as a left-wing political commentator. He was also nominated as a Member of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament in 1997.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders have been quick to pay tributes to the veteran journalist on Twitter. PM Modi termed him an intellectual giant and recalled his role as a staunch opponent of the Emergency.

"Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences," Modi said in a tweet.

Nayar started his journalistic career with the Urdu daily "Anjam" in 1948. He worked in the Press Information Bureau as a Press Officer to then Home Ministers Govind Ballabh Pant and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

He was the editor and General Manager of United News of India (UNI) and also the editor of The Statesman. He also worked with the Indian Express, The Times, The Spectator and the Evening Star.

This story was updated to include tributes at 12.24 pm