Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 27: Veteran journalist and noted author, M L Kak, breathed his last this morning in Gurugram after a prolonged illness. He was 85.
Originally from Naidyar, Rainawari, in Kashmir, he lived first in New Delhi and then in Gurugram for the last many years.
He started his career as a journalist in The Tribune newspaper after receiving a post-graduate degree in English literature from Kashmir University and a diploma in Journalism from Punjab University, Chandigarh.
As The Tribune’s correspondent he worked in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K.
He was amongst the top journalists and political leaders who were arrested and detained in Hissar Jail during Emergency in 1975, after a showdown with the then Chief Minister of Haryana, Bansi Lal.
After spending about 10 days in Hissar Jail, he was transferred to Central Jail Srinagar on the intervention of the then Chief Minister of J&K, Sheikh Mohd Abdullah.
The then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, went on record, describing his arrest as “Sheer Misuse of Emergency Powers” and ordered for his immediate release.
Kak was ultimately released from Central Jail, Srinagar, after spending another 60 days there.
Kak authored many books: “Jailed Without Crime (Untold story of emergency)”, Waves in Kashmir” (History of Kashmir and political developments), “Away From Homeland” ( Plight of Kashmiri Pandits post migration and their aspirations) and “Behind The Veil” (Collection of Writeups published in a local English daily in Jammu about the issues related to J&K and Pakistan.)
President Press Club Jammu, Sanjeev Pargal has expressed his profound grief and shock over the demise of Kak and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He described the death of Kak a great loss to journalist fraternity of J&K.
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