Veteran journalist, noted author M L Kak passes away

Srinagar, Nov 27: Veteran journalist and noted author, M L Kak, breathed his last on Wednesday morning in Gurugram after a prolonged illness. He was 85.

Originally from Naidyar, Rainawari, in Kashmir, he lived first in Jammu and then in Gurugram for the last many years.

He started his career as a journalist in The Tribune newspaper after receiving a postgraduate degree in English literature from the University of Kashmir (KU) and a Diploma in Journalism from Punjab University, Chandigarh.

As The Tribune’s correspondent, he worked in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and J&K.

When the Emergency was imposed in June 1975, he was amongst the top journalists and political leaders who were arrested and detained in Hissar Jail, 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 Muhammad Abdullah.

The then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, went on record, describing his arrest as a “sheer misuse of Emergency powers” and ordered 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’, a Collection of write ups published in a local English daily in Jammu about the issues related to J&K and Pakistan.