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{{short description|Indian author and journalist (1923-2018)}}

{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kuldip Nayar
| image = Kuldip Nayar-2.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1923|08|14|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Sialkot]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br />(now [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]])
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|08|23|1923|08|14|df=y}}
| death_place = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| education = [[Medill School of Journalism]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Diplomat|journalist|author|parliamentarian|activist}}
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament]] ([[Rajya Sabha]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/n.pdf|title=RAJYA SABHA MEMBERS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 1952–2003|publisher=[[Rajya Sabha]]|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref>
| constituency2 = [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|Rajya Sabha]]
| term_start2 =1997
| term_end2 = 2003
| predecessor =
| successor =
| alias =
| title =
| family =
| spouse =
| domestic_partner =
| children =
| relatives =
| ethnicity =
| nationality = Indian
| years_active= 
| agent =
| website = 
|awards=[[Padma Bhushan]] 2019 (Posthumous)}}

'''Kuldip Nayar''' (14 August 1923 – 23 August 2018) was an [[Indian people|Indian]] [[journalist]], [[syndicated columnist]], human rights activist, author and former [[High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom]] noted for his long career as a left-wing political commentator. He was also nominated as a member of the Upper House of the [[Indian Parliament]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kuldip-nayar-dead-5320299/|title=Kuldip Nayar, former Editor of The Indian Express, dies at 95|publisher=Indian Express|date=23 August 2018|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Nayar was born at [[Sialkot]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British India]] on 14 August 1923, in a [[Punjabi Hindu]] [[khatri]] family.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kuldip-nayar-fighter-against-emergency-who-followed-his-conscience/articleshow/65517159.cms|title=Kuldip Nayar- Fighter against Emergency who followed his conscience|date=23 August 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> He completed his B.A. (Hons.) from the [[Forman Christian College]] [[Lahore]] and LL.B. from the Law College [[Lahore]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p85bBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT48|title=Beyond the Lines: An Autobiography|last=Nayar|first=Kuldip|date=10 August 2012|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited|isbn=9788174368218|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/opinion/kuldip-nayar-life-and-work-1624135|title=Kuldip Nayar: Life and work|date=25 August 2018|work=The Daily Star|access-date=25 August 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/journalist-kuldip-nayar-modern-indias-chronicler-and-conscience-keeper-1905181|title=Journalist Kuldip Nayar, Modern India's Chronicler And Conscience Keeper|work=NDTV.com|access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> In 1952, he studied journalism from the [[Medill School of Journalism]], [[Northwestern University]] on a scholarship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/alumni/hallofachievement.aspx?id=117257|title=Hall of Achievement: Kuldip Nayar|access-date=14 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814235353/http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/alumni/hallofachievement.aspx?id=117257|archive-date=14 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="sree">{{cite web|url=http://sree.net/stories/nayar.html|title=Nayar|access-date=14 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125043812/http://www.sree.net/stories/nayar.html|archive-date=25 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Career ==
Nayar was initially an Urdu press reporter. He was editor of the Delhi edition of the English newspaper ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/kuldip-nayar-the-rock-star-reporter-who-shouldve-been-editor/104892/|title=Kuldip Nayar: The rock star Reporter who should've been Editor|last=Gupta|first=Shekhar|date=25 August 2018|work=The Print|access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> and was arrested towards the end of the [[Indian Emergency (1975–77)]].<ref name="dna" /> He was also a human rights activist and a [[peace activist]]. He was a member of India's delegation to the United Nations in 1996.<ref name="dna" /> He was appointed High Commissioner to Great Britain in 1990 and nominated to the upper house of [[Indian Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]] in August 1997.<ref name="dna" />

He wrote syndicated columns and [[op-ed]]s that were published in over 80 newspapers in 14 languages<ref name="dna" /> including the ''Deccan Herald'' (Bengaluru), ''[[Daily Star (British newspaper)|The Daily Star]]'', ''[[The Guardian|The Sunday Guardian]]'',<ref>{{cite news|first=Kuldip|last=Nayar|title=LEADERS & MISLEADERS|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/profile/kuldip-nayar|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> ''[[The News (Pakistan)|The News]]'',<ref>{{cite news|first=Kuldip|last=Nayar|title=All stories / articles Kuldip Nayar|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk}}</ref> ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/geeta-should-have-opened-more-doors-100000.html|title=Geeta should have opened more doors|work=The Statesman|access-date=24 August 2018|publication-date=28 October 2015}}</ref> ''[[The Express Tribune]]'',<ref>{{cite news|first=Kuldip|last=Nayar|title=Stories by Kuldip Nayar|url=http://tribune.com.pk/author/2043/kuldip-nayar/|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/author/kuldipnayar|title=Posts by Kuldip Nayar|last=Nayar|first=Kuldip|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> and ''[[PrabhaSakshi]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prabhasakshi.com/news/column/bangladesh-has-not-become-economically-sustainable-country/117264.html|title=Columns by Kuldip Nayar|last=Nayar|first=Kuldip|date=20 December 2017|website=PrabhaSakshi (Online News Portal)}}</ref>

[[File:Kuldip nayar md.jpg|thumb|Nayar in June 2014]]

=== Peace activist ===
Every year since 2000, Nayar had been leading peace activists to light candles on the Independence days of Pakistan and India (14/15 August) at the Attari-Wagah India-Pakistan border near Amritsar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Who Has The Matches?|date=30 August 2010|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/polscape.aspx?10655|work=Outlook (India)|access-date=13 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529115105/http://outlookindia.com/polscape.aspx?10655|archive-date=29 May 2012}}</ref>

He was a close friend of another Pakistani politician ch. Jaleel Ahmed Khan (Ex-MNA) who arranged the launch of Nayar's book (Beyond the lines : An Autobiography) in Avari hotel Lahore in 2013. Both of them participated in various peace enhancing events in both countries as ch. Jaleel Ahmed Khan a senior Pakistani politician who migrated from India in 1947 also strongly advocated peace between the two neighboring countries.<ref>http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/former-members/4th%20National%20Assembly.pdf</ref>

He had been working to free Indian prisoners in Pakistan and Pakistani prisoners in India, who have completed their sentences, but have not been set free.<ref>{{cite news|first=Shivam|last=Vij|title=Why is Gopal Das free and not Khalil Chishty?|date=11 January 2012|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=86884&Cat=14|work=[[The News International]]|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref>

He had started a tradition of candle vigil since 1995 at Indo-Pak Wagah Border during midnight of 14–15 August for India-Pakistan Peace through celebration of Independence Day and remembering people of both sides. In later years of his life, he could not participate in this due to his old age but inspired many young folks to continue the tradition.<ref>https://dailytimes.com.pk/286925/the-aman-dosti-yatra-a-voice-for-indo-pak-peace/</ref> Ten days before his death, he had flagged off 'Aman-Dosti Yatra' which was a 40-member delegation of Aaghaz-e-Dosti that marched from Delhi to Wagah Border under leadership of Aaghaz-e-Dosti founder Ravi Nitesh and Gandhi Global Family's Secretary Ram Mohan Rai for lighting candles for Indo-Pak Peace and thus continued his legacy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/aman-dosti-yatra-reaches-attari-backs-indo-pak-peace/articleshow/65431562.cms|title='Aman Dosti Yatra' reaches Attari, backs Indo-Pak peace {{!}} Chandigarh News - Times of India|last1=Aug 17|first1=Yudhvir Rana {{!}} TNN {{!}}|last2=2018|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15|last3=Ist|first3=7:39}}</ref> This was his last public presence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navjivanindia.com/opinion/kuldeep-nayyar-was-the-epitome-of-grace-and-courage-tribute-by-mrinal-pandey|title=कुलदीप नैयर: साहस और गरिमा का संयोग|website=Navjivan|language=hi|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref>

=== Political commentator ===
As a political commentator, Nayar wrote his views freely on most politically current issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1768484/6-dangers-secularism-india/|title=Dangers to secularism in India}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Outlook Publishing|title=Outlook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WzEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT30|access-date=14 January 2012|date=28 January 2008|publisher=Outlook Publishing|page=30}}</ref> He had supported the movement of [[Anna Hazare]]<ref name="dna">{{cite news|title=Governments to be blamed for Indo-Pak animosity: Kuldip Nayar|date=31 July 2011|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_governments-to-be-blamed-for-indo-pak-animosity-kuldip-nayar_1571367|work=Daily News and Analysis|location=India|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> and chided the Pakistan Government for not apologising for the army atrocities in [[East Pakistan]] in 1971 that led to the formation of [[Bangladesh]],<ref>{{cite news|first=Kuldip|last=Nayar|title=The birth of Bangladesh|date=20 December 2011|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/308780/the-birth-of-bangladesh/|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> and for allowing drugs to be smuggled into India.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan pushing drugs into Punjab: Kuldip Nayar|date=12 January 2012|url=http://www.sify.com/news/pakistan-pushing-drugs-into-punjab-kuldip-nayar-news-national-mbmaadjaecc.html|work=Sify|access-date=13 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112080505/http://www.sify.com/news/Pakistan-pushing-drugs-into-Punjab-Kuldip-Nayar-news-National-mbmaadjaecc.html|archive-date=12 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nayar has been accused of supporting [[anti-Indian]] [[conspiracy theories]].<ref name="sree" /> In a February 2010 article in Pakistani newspaper ''Dawn'', he alleged that the Indian anti-terrorism squad leader [[Hemant Karkare]] was murdered by Hindu right-wing activists.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.dawn.com/archives/19754|title=Politics of terrorism|last=Nayar|first=Kuldip|date=19 February 2010|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=14 January 2012}}</ref> In July 2011 US authorities confirmed that Nayar attended many events in United States hosted by and supported by [[Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai]], which had been funded by Pakistan ISI.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120913043353/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-20/us/29793885_1_kashmir-issue-kac-indian-officials L'affaire Fai: US lawmakers, Indian liberals come under scrutiny] Times of India – 20 July 2011</ref>

=== Author ===
Kuldip Nayar has written widely about current issues and historic persons, including [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] and [[Barry Manilow]]. Nayar has advocated a policy of bilateral talks and engagement with India's neighbour Pakistan. He is known for his vision of a new South Asia, in which Pakistan and India would be on friendly terms.<ref name="NewKerala" /><ref>{{cite news|title=India, Pakistan press rue Kashmir deadlock|date=7 September 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3634142.stm|work=BBC|access-date=14 January 2012}}</ref>

Nayar's autobiography is entitled ''Beyond the Lines''.<ref name="herald">{{cite news|url=http://www.pakistanherald.com/Profile/Kuldip-Nayyer-761|title=Kuldip Nayyer|work=[[Herald (Pakistan)]]|access-date=14 January 2012}}</ref> The book was released in July 2012.<ref name="NewKerala">{{cite news|title=Kuldip Nayar's autobiography to be released on birthday in August|url=http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-126236.html|work=NewKerala|access-date=14 January 2012}}</ref> In 1999, he was awarded an Alumni Merit Award by Northwestern University.<ref name="herald" />

== Personal life ==
He was married and had two sons, and several grandchildren.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kuldip-nayar-journalist-dead-cremation-5321741/|title=Kuldip Nayar laid to rest amid sea of politicians, scribes|date=23 August 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=25 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Nayar died in Delhi at 12:30am on 23 August 2018. His funeral took place on 24 August 2018 at Lodhi Crematorium and was attended by former prime minister [[Manmohan Singh]], current ministers [[Harsh Vardhan (Delhi politician)|Harsh Vardhan]] and [[Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore]]; current Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] and Deputy Chief Minister [[Manish Sisodia]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuldip Nayar laid to rest amid sea of politicians, scribes|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kuldip-nayar-journalist-dead-cremation-5321741/|access-date=24 August 2018|work=The Indian Express|date=23 August 2018}}</ref> As per his last wishes, [[Antyesti|ashes were immersed]] in [[Ravi River]] on the outskirts of [[Lahore]] in [[Pakistan]] by his family and friends, including [[Aitzaz Ahsan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/377194-kuldeep-ashes-immersed-in-ravi|title=Kuldeep ashes immersed in Ravi|access-date=2018-10-07|language=en}}</ref>

== Awards ==
* 2003- Astor Award for Press Freedom<ref>{{cite news|title=Award for Kuldip Nayar|url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/03/01/stories/2003030105951100.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126001010/http://www.hindu.com/2003/03/01/stories/2003030105951100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013|date=1 March 2003|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>
* 2007- Shaheed Niyogi Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuldip Nayar presented lifetime achievement award|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/10/stories/2007091051820300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916212912/http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/10/stories/2007091051820300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 September 2007|date=10 September 2007|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>
* 2015- Ramnath Goenka Jeevan Gaurav award.
* 2019- [[Padma Bhushan]] (Posthumous)

== Bibliography ==
Nayar is the author of at least 15 books:<ref name=":0" />

*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1969|title=Between the lines|publisher=Allied Publishers|asin=B0000E9UCO}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1971|title=India – The Critical years|publisher=Vikas Publications|asin=B0006BZSPA}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1972|title=Distant Neighbours – A tale of the subcontinent|publisher=Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-0-7069-0194-8}}
*{{Cite book|year=1973|title=Suppression of judges|publisher=Indian Book Co|location=New Delhi|last=Nayar|first=Kuldip}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sengupta|first=Arghya|date=2011|title=Judicial Independence and the Appointment of Judges to the Higher Judiciary in India: A Conceptual Enquiry|url=https://www.nalsar.ac.in/sites/default/files/IJCL%20Volume-5.pdf#page=129|journal=The Indian Journal of Constitutional Law|volume=5|pages=117}}</ref>
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1975|title=India After Nehru|publisher=Vikas Publications|isbn=978-0-7069-0366-9}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1977|title=The Judgment:Inside story of the emergency in India|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|asin=B0000D5MPX}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1978|title=In Jail|publisher=Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-0-7069-0647-9}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1980|title=Report on Afghanistan|publisher=Allied Publishers Ltd|isbn=978-0-86186-503-1}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|last2=Singh|first2=Khushwant|author2-link=Khushwant Singh|year=1985|title=Tragedy of Punjab: Operation Bluestar & After|publisher=South Asia Books|isbn=978-0-8364-1248-2}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=1992|title=India House|publisher=Viking|isbn=978-0-670-84432-6}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=2000|title=The Martyr : Bhagat Singh Experiments in Revolution|publisher=Har Anand Publications|isbn=978-81-241-0700-3}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=2003|title=Wall at Wagah – India Pakistan Relations|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-212-0829-1}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=2006|title=Scoop! : Inside Stories from Partition to the Present|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-81-7223-643-4}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|year=2007|title=Without Fear: The Life and Trial of Bhagat Singh|publisher=HarperCollins India|isbn=978-81-7223-692-2}}
*{{Cite book|last1=Nayar|first1=Kuldip|last2=Noorani|first2=Asif|author2-link=Asif Noorani|last3=Page|first3=David|year=2008|title=Tales of two cities|publisher=Lotus Roli|isbn=978-81-7436-676-4}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kuldip Nayar}}
*[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/8121208297 Wall at Wagah]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091113113816/http://www.flipkart.com/without-fear-life-trial-bhagat/8172236921-yv23f0a8lb Without Fear – The life & trial of Bhagat Singh]
*[http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/former-members/4th%20National%20Assembly.pdf]

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2010–2019}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nayar, Kuldip}}
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:Indian columnists]]
[[Category:People from Sialkot]]
[[Category:High Commissioners of India to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Medill School of Journalism alumni]]
[[Category:Forman Christian College alumni]]
[[Category:Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
[[Category:People from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education]]

Kuldip Nayar - Revision history

imported>Editrite! at 02:46, 8 August 2021