Agartala/Ukhrul, Sept 8: A career dedicated to the truth and an eye for the story beyond the headlines came to an end on Monday with the passing of Sankarshan Thakur. The 63-year-old journalist and Editor of The Telegraph was renowned for his insightful books and powerful dispatches, particularly from his home state of Bihar. His death, after a prolonged illness, has led to an outpouring of grief from across the political and media spectrum.
Thakur, who passed away in a Gurugram hospital, was widely regarded as a journalist’s journalist, a fearless ground reporter who combined hard-nosed political analysis with a writer’s lyrical flair. His professional journey began in 1984 with SUNDAY magazine, followed by influential stints at The Indian Express and Tehelka before he took on the editorial role at The Telegraph. Throughout his distinguished career, he covered some of modern India’s most defining moments, including the Bhopal gas tragedy, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and the Kargil War.
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Beyond his groundbreaking reporting, Thakur was a celebrated author whose books offered a compelling and nuanced look at the country’s political heartland. His acclaimed works, including “Subaltern Saheb” and “Single Man: The Life and Times of Nitish Kumar of Bihar,” were praised for their deep insight and empathetic storytelling. Colleagues and readers alike often noted his ability to capture the essence of a subject with what many described as a “poet’s pen,” a rarity in contemporary journalism.
News of his demise drew immediate condolences from political leaders and the media fraternity. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his sorrow, calling Thakur a journalist of “impeccable integrity,” while Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lamented the loss of “one of the finest political journalists and writers of his generation.” The Press Club of India, in its statement, paid tribute to a journalist whose work will continue to serve as a guide for young reporters.
Born in Patna in 1962 to senior journalist Janardhan Thakur, Sankarshan Thakur was educated at St. Xavier’s and Hindu College in Delhi. He is survived by his wife, Sona, daughter, Jahan, and son, Ayushman. His death marks a significant loss to Indian journalism, leaving behind a legacy of uncompromising integrity and extraordinary literary talent.
