The shocking denial of state funeral honours to Satya Pal Malik, former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Meghalaya, Goa, and Bihar, as well as a former Union Minister, is a dark day for Indian democracy. A man who held some of the highest constitutional offices in the country, and served with dedication, was laid to rest at Delhi’s Lodhi Road Crematorium without the respect and ceremonial honours he rightfully deserved.
This disgraceful act is being viewed as a deliberate political move, orchestrated by the Modi Government, merely because Satya Pal Malik had the courage to speak the truth after demitting office. His fearless voice, especially regarding issues like the Pulwama attack and farmers’ rights, had made him an inconvenient figure for the ruling establishment. Today, that political intolerance has been shamelessly displayed in the denial of basic protocol at his funeral.
Despite this, the nation has not forgotten him. Prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni, JJP leader Dushyant Chautala, and SP MP Harendra Malik stood by his family and paid their respects. But the stain of this political vendetta will remain on the conscience of the government.
This is not just an insult to Satya Pal Malik; it is an insult to every civil servant, governor, and minister who has served this nation faithfully. The message is clear—those who dare to speak the truth will be denied even the basic dignity after death.
We strongly condemn this act of political revenge and appeal to the citizens of India to rise above party lines and defend the dignity of our constitutional values.