Kamal Khan suffered a heart attack on Friday morning
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his predecessor Akhilesh Yadav, and other political leaders joined thousands in mourning veteran journalist Kamal Khan who died this morning.
"Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji has condoled the death of senior journalist Shri Kamal Khan. Praying for the peace of the departed soul, the Chief Minister expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members," a statement from the Chief Minister's office said.
Akhilesh Yadav spoke about the loss at an election event.
"A very senior journalist is no longer among us. Whenever he spoke, or informed about an incident... There were few journalists who had his command over language, both Urdu and Hindi. And what sher has to be used at what time under what circumstances, he had that ability. Today, Kamal Khan is no longer with us. We are deeply pained. He was a great journalist who we have lost suddenly. We stand with his family in this time of sorrow. And pray to God to give his family and friends the strength to bear this loss," he said from the stage.
Kamal Khan, 61, died at his home in Lucknow on Friday morning after suffering a heart attack. He was with NDTV for over three decades.
The veteran journalist had a penchant for delivering hard truths with poetic dexterity. He was known for his deep-insights into Uttar Pradesh politics.
Social media was flooded with messages of grief, trending worldwide and in India, with lakhs of people writing in to praising his eloquent journalism and masterful storytelling.
"Shocked to hear about the passing away of senior journalist Kamal Khanji. I met him just a few days ago and we discussed many thing. He kept alive the values of truth and public interest in journalism. My deepest condolences to his family members" Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote.
"The news of Kamal Khan's demise is sad. He was a good and respected journalist. My condolences to his loved ones," her brother, Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi, wrote.
"The news of the sudden demise of renowned TV journalist Kamal Khan, associated with NDTV, is a very sad loss to journalism. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May God give everyone the strength to bear this sorrow..." Former UP Chief Minister Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.
"This is very sad. The sudden demise of famous journalist Kamal Khanji is a big loss for the world of journalism. I pray to God to give his family strength to bear this loss. My humble tribute..." Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote.