A Rebel With A Cause: Satyapal Malik (1946–2025)
Satyapal Malik, a towering figure in Indian politics known for his fearless candor and socialist roots, passed away on August 5, 2025, at the age of 79 at RML Hospital in Delhi after a prolonged illness.
A veteran Jat leader and former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Goa, Meghalaya, and briefly Odisha, Malik leaves behind a legacy defined by his unwavering commitment to social justice, his vocal criticism of systemic failures, and his bold confrontations with those in power, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His death, announced by associates through his own X account, marks the end of a storied career that spanned over five decades, from student activism to gubernatorial roles, characterized by his unapologetic defiance and advocacy for the marginalized.
Early Life and Rise in Politics
Born on July 24, 1946, in Hisawada, a village in the Meerut district of what was then the United Provinces of British India (now Bagpat, Uttar Pradesh), Malik grew up in a Hindu Jaat family. Orphaned at the age of two after his father’s death, he carved his path through sheer determination. He pursued a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws from Meerut University, where his political journey began as the student union president in 1968–69. Inspired by the socialist ideology of Rammanohar Lohia, Malik entered politics in the mid-1960s, a period marked by ideological fervour and social upheaval.
Malik’s early political career was rooted in Uttar Pradesh, where he won a seat in the state legislative assembly from Baghpat in 1974 as a member of Charan Singh’s Bharatiya Kranti Dal, securing 42.4% of the vote. His rise continued as he became the All-India General Secretary of the newly formed Lok Dal in 1975. By 1980, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha, representing Uttar Pradesh, a position he held until 1989. His political journey saw him navigate multiple parties, including the Indian National Congress, Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, and eventually the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reflecting his pragmatic yet principled approach to politics.
A Political Chameleon
Malik’s political career was marked by ideological fluidity and a willingness to challenge the status quo. In 1984, he joined the Congress but resigned in 1987 over the Bofors scandal, co-founding the Jan Morcha, which later merged with the Janata Dal. His election to the Lok Sabha from Aligarh in 1989 on a Janata Dal ticket solidified his reputation as a formidable politician. However, his 1996 Lok Sabha bid from Aligarh on a Samajwadi Party ticket was unsuccessful, marking a rare setback.
Joining the BJP in 2004, Malik contested the Baghpat Lok Sabha seat and rose to become the all-India in-charge of the BJP’s Kisan Morcha. His appointment as Governor of Bihar in 2017 marked the beginning of a series of gubernatorial roles, including Odisha (additional charge in 2018), Jammu and Kashmir (2018–2019), Goa (2019–2020), and Meghalaya (2020–2022). Each tenure was marked by his outspokenness, often putting him at odds with the central government.
The Pulwama Controversy: A Governor’s Defiance
Malik’s tenure as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, from August 2018 to October 2019, was arguably the most defining period of his career. It coincided with two seismic events: the Pulwama terrorist attack in February 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF soldiers, and the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. In an explosive April 2023 interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Malik revealed shocking details about the Pulwama attack, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval instructed him to remain silent about security lapses that contributed to the tragedy. He claimed that the CRPF had requested aircraft to transport personnel, a request denied by the Home Ministry under Rajnath Singh, forcing a large convoy to travel by road—a decision Malik called a “grave intelligence failure.” He further alleged that a car carrying 300 kilograms of RDX explosives roamed undetected in Jammu and Kashmir for 10–12 days, underscoring systemic incompetence.
Malik’s revelations painted a damning picture of the government’s response, accusing Modi of shifting blame to Pakistan for electoral gains. “I realized that this entire onus is going to be put on Pakistan, so it’s better to be quiet on the subject now,” he told Thapar. His candidness sparked widespread controversy, cementing his image as a whistleblower unafraid to challenge the highest echelons of power.
Champion of the Farmers’ Cause
Malik’s support for the 2020–2021 farmers’ protest further distinguished him as a voice for the marginalized.
As Governor of Meghalaya, he openly criticized the central government’s handling of the protests against the three farm laws, emphasizing the need for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). Speaking in Rajasthan in November 2021, he remarked, “If the government provides MSP guarantee through a law, then it can be resolved. They [farmers] will not compromise on less than MSP.” He also lambasted the government for its silence on the deaths of over 600 farmers during the protests, contrasting it with their readiness to express condolences for lesser matters.
At the Global Jat Summit in 2021, Malik warned the government against underestimating the resolve of farmers, particularly Sikhs and Jats, invoking historical examples of resistance. His outspoken support endeared him to farmers but strained his relationship with the BJP-led central government, with Malik stating he was prepared to resign if asked by “Delhi people.”
A Controversial Tenure in Goa
Malik’s brief stint as Governor of Goa (2019–2020) was marked by allegations of corruption against the Pramod Sawant-led state government. In October 2021, he accused the Goa government of rampant corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming his removal from the post was a direct result of his accusations. “The very next month I was transferred from there,” he told The Wire, suggesting that his transfer was retaliation for exposing malfeasance. Malik also recounted rejecting a Reliance Insurance scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, citing its exploitative terms, despite pressure from BJP leader Ram Madhav. His refusal to bow to political pressures underscored his commitment to integrity, even at personal cost.
Legacy of Fearlessness
Malik’s career was not without contradictions. His decision to dissolve the Jammu and Kashmir assembly in 2018, amidst claims of a majority by Mehbooba Mufti, drew accusations of unconstitutionality. In his Wire interview, he defended the move, citing procedural lapses and political horse-trading, though critics argued he acted hastily under external influence. Similarly, his claim of being unaware of the abrogation of Article 370 until the eve of its announcement raised questions about his role during President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
Yet, Malik’s legacy is defined by his courage to speak truth to power. He openly criticized Modi as “ill-informed” and “ignorant” about Kashmir, alleging that the Prime Minister was indifferent to corruption. His revelations about systemic failures, from Pulwama to governance in Goa, positioned him as a rare political figure willing to risk his position for principle. His support for farmers and his warnings against alienating India’s Muslim community reflected his socialist roots and commitment to inclusivity.
A Lasting Impact
Satyapal Malik’s death closes a chapter on a life marked by resilience, defiance, and a deep connection to India’s rural and marginalized communities. His journey from a village in Uttar Pradesh to the governor’s residences of multiple states was a testament to his tenacity and political acumen. His forthcoming book, which he promised would reveal “the full truth” about his tenure in Jammu and Kashmir, is eagerly awaited by those seeking insight into one of India’s most turbulent periods.
Malik’s passing leaves a void in Indian politics, particularly among those who valued his unfiltered honesty.
As tributes pour in, his words from the Wire interview resonate: “I am a fakir, what will they do to me? Send me to jail, I have nothing to lose.” Satyapal Malik, the rebel with a cause, will be remembered as a man who never shied away from speaking his truth, no matter the cost.
Hasnain Naqvi is a former member of the history faculty at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
