Rest in power: Condolences pour in for Kuldip Nayar

PM Modi, Shehbaz Sharif take to Twitter to express grief

Politicians, journalists and others expressed grief over the demise veteran Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar on Thursday.

A human rights activist and author of 15 books, Nayar was a renowned left-wing political commentator.

He penned weekly opinion pieces for The Express Tribune.

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

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2018

"Sad to hear of the passing of Kuldip Nayar, veteran editor and writer, diplomat and parliamentarian, and a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency. His readers will miss him. Condolences to his family and associates."

Sad to hear of the passing of Kuldip Nayar, veteran editor and writer, diplomat and parliamentarian, and a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency. His readers will miss him. Condolences to his family and associates #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 23, 2018

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry expressed grief over the demise. "Nayar used his pen to end hate and bring people together."

https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1032520017957543936

"With the passing away of Kuldeep Nayyar, an era of journalism for peace is over," said former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif.

With the passing away of Kuldeep Nayyar, an era of journalism for peace is over. He was a committed democrat, a relentless voice for peace & normalcy of relations between Pakistan and India. He has left behind a glorious legacy that all of us should uphold & celebrate. RIP!

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 23, 2018

Editors Guild of India described Nayar as "one of the doyens of Indian journalism and a founder member of the Guild."

Editors Guild of India offers its condolences on the death of Kuldip Nayar, one of the doyens of Indian journalism and a founder member of the Guild - https://t.co/xrPM0vb2jK pic.twitter.com/RfgkiU8Fsx

— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) August 23, 2018

Senior journalist Hamid Mir reminisced a discussing Indo-Pak peace strategies.

He asked me sometime back pls come to India we need to discuss a new peace strategy I promised but Kuldip Nayar Ji gone today forever we participated in many conferences and TV discussions together in last 2 decades we last met in Dhaka in Daily Star office pic.twitter.com/uXZ453l2V3

— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) August 23, 2018

"Kuldip Nayar, an outstanding journalist who had always written on peace between Pakistan and India and played his role as a peace lover," said senior journalist Mazhar Abbas.

The first journalist who interviewed A. Q. Khan is no more. Kuldip Nayar, an outstanding journalist who had always written on peace between Pakistan and India and played his role as a peace lover.

— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) August 23, 2018

"India’s first reporter to become editor in an era when top newsroom jobs were reserved for editorialists," remembered Shekhar Gupta, founder of The Print.

RIP Kuldip Nayar, India’s first reporter to become editor in an era when top newsroom jobs were reserved for editorialists. A genuine scoop-man, and Ind-Pak peace visionary. You will be missed by journalists and peace activists

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) August 23, 2018

"A journalist and editor who was an inspiration to several generations, who was committed to peace and democracy, who resisted all forms of authoritarian tendencies, and challenged the sword with the pen," tweeted senior Indian journalist Rajdeep Sardesai.

A journalist and editor who was an inspiration to several generations, who was committed to peace and democracy, who resisted all forms of authoritarian tendencies, and challenged the sword with the pen, Kuldip Nayar is no more.. RIP

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 23, 2018

Nayar was remembered for being a left-wing voice who pushed for Indo-Pak peace initiatives.

Saddened by the death of the veteran Journalist Sh. Kuldip Nayar. His contribution to the cause of free speech is unparalleled. He is credited with breaking some of the most exclusive news stories. Will be best remembered for his struggle against the emergency.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 23, 2018

Sorry to hear of Kuldip Nayar's passing. As I wrote here, he was a journalist who followed the dictates of his conscience rather than the lure of money or fame:https://t.co/zn8AL2sSx3

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) August 23, 2018

Champion of our democratic rights, civil liberties and at the forefront of those battles, Kuldip Nayar served India with distinction. His advocacy of people to people ties with Pakistan was special. His presence in current battles would have been a source of strength. Condolences pic.twitter.com/6FbLc5NNdP

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 23, 2018

Rest in peace Kuldip Nayar, giant of our profession and witness to history.
When I was a young journalist he was always encouraging and kind.He fought the Emergency & devoted his life to standing up for liberal values
Whole generations of journos looked up to him.
A great loss

— vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) August 23, 2018

My condolences on the sad demise of veteran journalist & former Rajya Sabha member, Kuldip Nayar ji. I had met him a few months back, he was full of energy and humor. Nayar ji's firm stand against Emergency can never be forgotten. His passing away is a loss to India’s journalism. pic.twitter.com/G0wCk2nsNZ

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 23, 2018