SANJAY PANDITA
M. L. Kotru’s life was a luminous journey in which the contours of journalism, truth, and conscience were etched into the very fabric of his existence. His story cannot be confined to the bare scaffolding of career milestones; it is the tale of a man whose words carried weight, whose presence commanded respect, and whose very being became synonymous with the highest ideals of the fourth estate. To write of him is to trace the arc of Indian journalism in its most fearless and ethical form, for his name stood as a beacon not only to his peers but also to those who followed in the profession, searching for inspiration and direction.
M. L. Kotru was not merely a journalist; he was a craftsman of truth, chiseling through the stone of propaganda and pretense until only clarity and sincerity remained. His journey began in the serene embrace of Kashmir, where the verdant valleys and snow-clad mountains nurtured a sensibility that was both deeply rooted in the land and expansively global in outlook. Born with “true Kashmiri blood in his veins,” as Mohammad Syed Malik remembered, his homeland was always the pulse of his being. Even when he lived and worked far away, Kashmir remained the backdrop of his reflections, the fragrance in his memory, and the heartbeat of his pen.
His early years in Srinagar gave him experiences that shaped both his worldview and his prose. Childhood walks under the shade of chinars, the sight of the Jhelum flowing endlessly, and the quiet dignity of Kashmiri life etched themselves into his memory. Friends remember how he often spoke fondly of the mornings in Srinagar when the mist lifted slowly from the Dal Lake, and how that sight to him symbolized both mystery and revelation—the very essence of what he later sought to do as a journalist: lift the mist from obscured realities so that truth could shine through. Even as he rose to the highest echelons of national media, he never lost that boyhood wonder, that intimacy with nature, that sense of rootedness.
Sketch of ML Kotru by Artist Veer Munshi
In Delhi, M. L. Kotru carved out his path as a journalist of unflinching courage. As Editor-in-Chief of The Statesman, India’s oldest newspaper founded in 1875, he led the publication through the turbulent 1990s, reinforcing its stature as a fortress of credible journalism. His writings were a blend of sharp analysis and profound conviction. His political commentary, particularly on India’s foreign relations, with an eye often turned towards Pakistan, established him as an authoritative voice. His columns were not just observations of events; they were interventions in the public discourse. He spoke with clarity where others obfuscated, with fearlessness where others compromised, and with sincerity where others sought expedience.
Receiving an award from President Gyani Zail Singh
M. L. Kotru’s professional journey carried with it an old-world charm that set him apart. His Russian-like features, light brown hair, and fondness for a cigar or cigarette gave him an aura of distinction. But beyond appearances, it was his deep, resonant voice, authoritative yet warm, that left the deepest impression. That voice—both in his spoken word and in his writings—was the embodiment of conviction. As Sheikh Manzoor Ahmad put it, he was among the last of the iconic journalists of his generation, a man who never compromised on principles and whose very presence exuded transparency.
ML Kotru with Sudhir Dar Eminent Kashmiri cartoonist
Though Delhi remained the center of his career, Srinagar never ceased to be his home in spirit. He visited often, meeting friends, playing golf at the Royal Springs, or conversing at the Press Club of India with colleagues and admirers. Fazal Mehmood Qari recalls a poignant encounter where M. L. Kotru sat listening to Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s immortal ghazal “Gulon Mein Rang Bhare.” That moment was not only about music; it was about nostalgia, about Kashmir remembered through poetry and song. Pamela Dhar Anand called him a “proud Kashmiri with a global outlook,” a man whose office in The Statesman became a haven for Kashmiris in Delhi, a place where they sought both advice and companionship.
ML Kotru with K Kamaraj
Those who met him in Kashmir speak of the way he mingled across communities, moving easily between old friends from downtown Srinagar and colleagues from more cosmopolitan circles. Before the turbulence of the 1990s, he was known in the valley as a man of charm and camaraderie, one who loved Kashmiri cuisine, never tiring of sharing a wazwan meal and narrating stories of the city’s rich cultural tapestry. In conversations at Ahdoo’s or on strolls near the Bund, he would slip effortlessly from tales of childhood to reflections on politics, always with a sparkle in his eye that betrayed his affection for his homeland.
Beyond his role as editor and columnist, M. L. Kotru was a mentor in the truest sense. His guidance shaped the lives of many young journalists. Ashok Ogra, who worked under him during his initial days, often remembered him as a legend who combined pride in his Kashmiri roots with a broad, cosmopolitan worldview. Pamela Dhar Anand herself recounted the encouragement she received, which shaped her journey in Delhi. Shabir Jalib spoke of him as a “big-brother-like friend,” a man of warmth, generosity, and wisdom whose affection was boundless.
ML Kotru with Mushtaq Bala ( Editor-In-Chief Kashmir Pen )
His integrity was not theoretical; it was lived every day, in small gestures and great decisions. One of the most telling anecdotes comes from Yousuf Jameel, who once declined Kotru’s offer to work as a correspondent for The Statesman out of loyalty to his then-editor, M. J. Akbar. Far from being displeased, M. L. Kotru admired Jameel’s loyalty and thanked him for his honesty. Years later, in 2017, Kotru messaged Jameel on Facebook to recall that moment, a testimony to how deeply he valued principles and character. Jameel himself paid tribute to Kotru as a beacon of journalism and integrity, lamenting the silence of many political figures after his passing. For Jameel, M. L. Kotru was a man who inspired through words and actions, whose voice carried both courage and conscience.
ML Kotru with Journalist Yousuf Jameel
The breadth of tributes paid to M. L. Kotru upon his passing reveals the measure of the man. Mohammad Syed Malik remembered him as a lovable person, a towering colleague, and a professional of unmatched stature. Sheikh Manzoor Ahmad described him as one of the last iconic figures in journalism who never compromised on principles. Fazal Mehmood Qari saw him as more than a journalist: a conscience keeper and a voice of truth, and above all, a Kashmiri to the core. Shabir Jalib mourned him as a big brother, and Parvez Bakshi saluted him simply but powerfully as a fearless voice in journalism.
Girjia Tickoo, saddened by his passing, expressed pride in calling him a fellow native. Kashmir Pen, in its tribute, lauded him as a legendary journalist whose fearless commitment to truth and integrity set the gold standard for the profession. Bansi Raina spoke of his analytical and investigative skills and his popularity before the turmoil of the 1990s, while Squadron Leader Anil Sehgal described him as a grand old man of journalism. Ashok Kumar Handoo recalled his warmth through a personal letter, and Ashok Ogra reiterated how he mentored him during the earliest days of his career. Naeem Akthar honored him as a master of communication, distinct even in his class.
Mushtaq Bala praised his sharp analysis and fearless reporting that inspired generations. Mushtaq Burza remembered his columns in The Statesman during their college days as models of craftsmanship. Pran Kishore Kaul called him a trendsetter who loved Kashmir deeply and fearlessly projected its realities. Jaya Parimu described him as once among the most authoritative voices on India’s external relations. Pamela Dhar Anand described his rare ethics and undeniable influence. Fayyaz Sheheryar summed up his life with the profound words: “Integrity was his compass, truth his constant pursuit, and fairness his enduring legacy.” Wajahat Khan saw in him a soul of warmth and wisdom, while Hussain Shah mourned a dear friend. Rubiana Sushil, who worked under him at The Statesman, called him both a knowledgeable boss and a tough taskmaster who pushed the paper to its best heights. Ghulam Nabi Wani highlighted his affectionate personality, Satya Prakash Sabherwal prayed that his legacy would continue to inspire generations, and Muzaffar Shah of the Awami National Conference said Kashmir had lost a great son and journalism a great voice. Bashir Bawan offered his heartfelt condolences, and Veer Munshi wrote with pain, “Alvida, Kotru sahib, we will miss you all times.”
Each of these tributes is a thread in the vast tapestry of his legacy. Together they portray not only a journalist of exceptional skill but also a human being of rare decency, someone who touched lives with kindness as much as with intellect.
His story is not one of mere professional success but of a steadfast adherence to values. He believed journalism was not a trade but a trust, and he lived that belief every day of his career. His pen was his sword, but it was wielded with fairness, with a sense of justice, and with an enduring respect for the truth. Even in an era when the lines between fact and opinion blurred, when the pressures of politics and power sought to sway the media, M. L. Kotru remained unswayed, unbent, and unbroken.
For those who encountered him personally, whether as colleagues, friends, or mentees, his memory is not just of a great editor or an incisive writer but of a man of grace, charm, and humanity. For those who read him, his words endure as models of clarity, conviction, and courage. And for the profession at large, his life is a reminder of what journalism can and should be: fearless, fair, and fundamentally honest.
The void left by his passing is immense. Yet, as the tributes reveal, his spirit continues to guide, inspire, and admonish. Kashmir Pen called his legacy a beacon that will continue to guide. Satya Prakash Sabherwal prayed for his inspiration to live on. Fayyaz Sheheryar reminded us that his integrity lights the path ahead. These are not mere words of condolence; they are acknowledgments that M. L. Kotru’s story is not finished, that his influence endures, that his example remains a standard.
As the pages of his extraordinary life turn into memory, the presence of M. L. Kotru lingers like a steady flame that refuses to be extinguished. He was more than a journalist; he was a conscience-keeper, a mentor, a proud Kashmiri, and a man whose pen was never for sale. In every newsroom where his voice echoed, in every editorial that bore his stamp, and in every heart he touched with kindness and conviction, he leaves behind a legacy that is not merely remembered but lived. Journalism, for him, was never just a profession but a sacred trust, and those who follow in his footsteps inherit not only his words but also his courage, his integrity, and his profound humanity. To speak of M. L. Kotru is to speak of an era when truth mattered above all else, and as his journey now belongs to history, his spirit will remain a living guide for generations yet to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his example remind us always that while men may pass, their principles endure forever.
The writer can be reached at sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com
