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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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
