Eminent historian K N Panikkar dies at 90
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Eminent historian and academic K N Panikkar died at a private hospital here due to age-related ailments on Monday, family sources said.
He was 90.
A towering figure in the field of history, Panikkar was widely recognised for his Marxist interpretation in history writing and for advocating secular and scientific approaches in the sector. He was also a known critique of communalism.
The veteran played a key role in shaping progressive perspectives in the study of modern Indian history.
After higher studies, Panikkar joined as a history faculty at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, where he later served as head of the department.
Panikkar also served as Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady in the state.
He was the founding chairman of the Kerala Council for Historical Research and headed the institution from 2001 to 2017.
In addition, he also held visiting professorships and fellowships at several universities abroad and served as the president of the Indian History Congress in 2008.
He also authored several influential works on Indian history, particularly on colonialism and modernity.
Panikkar is survived by two daughters. His wife, a native of Rajasthan and a former classmate, predeceased him.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI (M) state secretary M V Govindan, general education minister V Sivankutty and so on were among those who condoled his demise.
Vijayan, in a detailed message, described Panikkar as a cultural figure who steadfastly defended a scientific and objective understanding of history.
"Panikkar consistently reminded society—through his writings, speeches and teaching—that India’s pluralism had evolved through historical processes and that any attempt to undermine it would weaken the very foundations of the country," he said.
Vijayan noted that Panikkar’s interventions had often served as a guiding light during periods when secular values in India faced challenges.
By studying and presenting India’s historical evolution to younger generations, the historian helped raise awareness against distortions of history, he said.
The Chief Minister also said Panikkar was at the forefront of resisting attempts to alter the narrative of India’s freedom struggle and to communalise educational curricula.
His contributions to safeguarding secular and democratic values in the cultural sphere were significant, Vijayan added.
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
