Satyapal Malik began his political career in the 1970s as an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly). Over his long career spanning nearly 50 years, he was associated with several political parties.
Satyapal Malik, the former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79 after being unwell for a long time. He breathed his last at 1:10 PM at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, according to reports by news agency ANI.
Who was Satyapal Malik?
Satyapal Malik was an Indian politician best known for being the last Governor of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, from August 2018 to October 2019. During his time as Governor, a historic decision was made, On 5 August 2019, Article 370 was removed, ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Today marks six years since that major change.
After that, he was appointed the Governor of Goa, and later served as the Governor of Meghalaya until October 2022.
Satyapal Malik’s early life and political career
Malik was born in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. He got involved in politics in the mid-1960s, inspired by the ideas of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, a well-known socialist leader. He started young, becoming the President of the Students’ Union first at Meerut College, and later at Meerut University (now Choudhary Charan Singh University).
He was first elected as a politician with Chaudhary Charan Singh’s Bharatiya Kranti Dal. In 1980, he was chosen as a member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) by the Lok Dal.
Later, in 1984, he joined the Congress Party, which again sent him to the Rajya Sabha in 1986.
