Governor Who Oversaw Article 370 Abrogation Dies at 79 | Controversial Legacy and Political Journey
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 6 August 2025
A Governor, A Rebel, A Legacy Etched in Kashmir’s History
On August 6, 2025, Satyapal Malik, the last Governor of Jammu and Kashmir before the abrogation of Article 370, passed away at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness in New Delhi. His death came on the sixth anniversary of the very event that came to define his legacy — the constitutional and political reordering of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019.
Malik’s time as Governor was anything but conventional. Sent as a political emissary, he would later defy the establishment, becoming one of the most outspoken critics of the Modi government, while also getting embroiled in serious corruption allegations. His journey from a socialist Lohiaite to a BJP-appointed governor, and finally a rebel voice, marks him as one of the most paradoxical figures in recent Indian political history.
Early Life and Political Roots: From Baghpat to Parliament
Born in Hisawada village, Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh, in 1946, Satyapal Malik was deeply influenced by socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia. A law graduate from Meerut College, Malik began his political career in the 1960s, entering the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1974 as a Lok Dal candidate.
In the following decades, he switched political affiliations multiple times — from Lok Dal to Congress, then to Janata Dal, and eventually to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2004. Throughout his career, he held several key roles, including Rajya Sabha MP, Member of the Lok Sabha, and later as a Governor in multiple states.
Governorships Across India: The Political Appointment Trail
Before arriving in Jammu & Kashmir, Malik served as the Governor of Bihar, Goa, and Meghalaya. Though his tenures in these states were relatively uneventful, his appointment as Jammu and Kashmir Governor in August 2018 came at a highly sensitive time — following the collapse of the PDP-BJP coalition government led by Mehbooba Mufti.
He became the first career politician to be appointed Governor of J&K in decades, replacing the bureaucratic or military administrators who had previously held the position.
Faxgate: The ‘Shredded’ Mandate That Changed Everything
November 2018 — The Day Democracy Glitched in Jammu
In what became infamously known as “Faxgate”, Malik dissolved the J&K Assembly after Mehbooba Mufti, backed by the National Conference (NC) and Congress, faxed a letter staking claim to form the government. Simultaneously, Sajad Lone, with alleged backing from BJP, claimed support and sent his bid via WhatsApp.
However, Raj Bhavan claimed it had received no such communication from either camp.
Within hours, Malik dissolved the Assembly, citing the threat of horse-trading.
The event drew ridicule and rage from all corners:
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Mehbooba Mufti asked, “How could the fax not receive my letter but send one for dissolution so quickly?”
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Omar Abdullah tweeted a meme of a fax machine shredding papers, saying it was “at work.”
Later, Malik offered a bizarre justification: “Even my cook was on leave, let alone the fax guy. It was Eid.”
August 5, 2019: Article 370 Abrogation — A Turning Point in Kashmir and Malik’s Legacy
The Most Defining Day of His Career
On August 5, 2019, the Modi government revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status and bifurcating it into two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh. Malik, the sitting Governor, signed off on all orders, making him the legal face of the process.
However, in later interviews, Malik claimed:
“I was kept in the dark. I was not consulted before the decision. If I was asked, I would have advised against downgrading the state into a Union Territory. That was a mistake.”
Malik’s statement created ripples in national discourse — raising questions about democratic consultation, federalism, and the Governor’s role as a constitutional bridge between the Centre and the State.
Pulwama Attack and Explosive Allegations Against Centre
February 14, 2019 — Pulwama Attack
In one of the deadliest terror strikes in India, 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama when a suicide bomber rammed into their convoy.
Years later, Malik accused the Modi government of:
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“Grave intelligence failure”
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“Refusing to provide aircraft” for troop movement despite multiple requests
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“Suppressing facts to shield officials”
His comments sparked outrage, particularly as they contradicted the government’s claim of preparedness and fed into opposition allegations of politicizing national security.
Support for Farmers and Anti-Corruption Crusade
After completing his gubernatorial roles, Malik re-emerged as a surprise champion of farmers’ rights during the 2020–21 protests against the controversial farm laws.
He was one of the few prominent former BJP figures to:
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Publicly support the farmers’ agitation
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Criticize the government’s corporate ties
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Call out bureaucratic corruption
He also claimed he was offered bribes in connection with the ₹2,200 crore Kiru Hydropower Project, a statement that led to a CBI investigation — and ironically, a CBI chargesheet against Malik himself in 2023 for alleged corruption in the same case.
Post-Governorship: From Political Insider to Outspoken Dissenter
Malik’s journey took a dramatic turn post-governorship. He made headlines for his:
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Sharp critiques of the Modi government
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Repeated attacks on crony capitalism
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Assertions of growing authoritarianism
Some key quotes that defined this phase:
“The government does not like people who speak the truth. I’m not scared.”
“My job is to be with the people, not with rulers who silence dissent.”
He was hailed as a ‘rare truth-teller’ by opposition leaders and condemned by many in the BJP who saw his statements as acts of betrayal.
Tributes and Political Reactions: Across the Aisle Mourning
Following his death:
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted condolences, calling it “saddening” and praising Malik’s long public service.
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Rahul Gandhi remembered Malik as a “truthful man who stood for constitutional values, even when it was inconvenient.”
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Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, and K. Kavitha echoed sentiments of respect, despite their political differences with Malik.
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Farmers’ unions held candlelight vigils in his honor.
Legacy: A Controversial Governor Who Turned Against the System He Served
Satyapal Malik’s story is not one of clean heroism or villainy — it’s a political paradox:
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A man who signed off on Kashmir’s most controversial change, yet later condemned it
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A BJP appointee, turned Modi critic
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A governor with power, who claimed to be kept in the dark
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A whistleblower, yet chargesheeted
Despite — or because of — these contradictions, Satyapal Malik will remain etched in Kashmir’s political memory. Whether remembered as a pawn, a player, or a patriot, his tenure will be studied in the context of India’s democratic evolution and federal structure.
Bottom-Line: The Man Behind the Post
In Indian politics, few figures cross over from establishment roles to voices of principled dissent. Malik was one of them. His death on the anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation is a poignant punctuation mark in Kashmir’s turbulent modern history.
His life raises enduring questions:
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Should Governors be mere extensions of the Centre?
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Can truth and power coexist in the Indian state system?
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Was Malik a reluctant executor or a repentant rebel?
Only history will decide. But what’s certain is that Satyapal Malik’s name will forever be linked with Kashmir’s fate, for better or worse.
