Tributes, Nostalgia As Leaders Mourn Chandan Mitra

Chandan Mitra, editor and former Rajya Sabha member, died late Wednesday night. He was 65. Mr Mitra was the printer-publisher of The Pioneer, but resigned from the post in June this year. He had also served as the editor of the Delhi-based English daily. After his son broke the news this morning, a number of people paid tributes to Mr Mitra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was anguished by the death of Mr Mitra and offered his condolences to his family and admirers.

“Shri Chandan Mitra Ji will be remembered for his intellect and insights. He distinguished himself in the world of media as well as politics,” the PM added.

Shri Chandan Mitra Ji will be remembered for his intellect and insights. He distinguished himself in the world of media as well as politics. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2021

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Mr Mitra was known for his deep knowledge and sharp writing and his contributions towards journalism and politics.

Dr. Chandan Mitra was known for his deep knowledge, sharp writings and contributions towards journalism and politics. Deeply anguished by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 2, 2021

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said he was anguished by Mr Mitra's death, and offered condolences to his family and followers.

Anguished to hear about the demise of Chandan Mitra ji. His contribution in journalism and politics will be remembered. My deepest condolences to his family and followers. Om Shanti.

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 2, 2021

Sharing an image of himself with Mr Mitra in 1972, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta said he lost his “closest friend”. Mr Dasgupta said they had studied together, started as journalists at the same time and shared the “excitement of Ayodhya and the saffron wave”.

I lost my closest friend—editor of Pioneer & former MP Chandan Mitra—this morning. We were together as students of La Martiniere & went on to St Stephen's & Oxford. We joined journalism at the same time & shared the excitement of Ayodhya & the saffron wave. 1/2

— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 2, 2021

I am posting a photograph of Chandan Mitra and me together during a school trip in 1972. Be happy my dear friend wherever you are. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/58vMvU6Wa9

— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 2, 2021

Former BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said he was “very sorry” to hear about the death of Mr Mitra, whom he also described as a “good friend”.

Very sorry to hear abt d demise of former MP n senior journalist Sh Chandan Mitra. He was a good friend. Served on d India Foundation Board for many years until his health forced him to withdraw from public activism. Condolences to @kushanmitra n other near and dear. On Shantih pic.twitter.com/dHvHNjrgt8

— Ram Madhav (@rammadhav_rss) September 2, 2021

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said Mr Mitra was an immensely respected editor, who led The Pioneer. “His vast experience and insightful understanding of issues always gave readers a new perspective. A huge loss for journalism.”

Anguished by the passing away Sh Chandan Mitra Ji.
An immensely respected Editor, who led the @TheDailyPioneer & served as a Member of Parliament.
His vast experience & insightful understanding of issues always gave readers a new perspective.
A huge loss for journalism. pic.twitter.com/xUqxZwQFEY

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) September 2, 2021

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Mr Mitra was his campaign manager during his successful race to be the president of the St Stephen's College Union Society. He added that they remained in touch over the years until "politics separated us".

Deeply saddened by this news. Chandan was my campaign manager in my successful race to be President of the St Stephen's College Union Society, served in my Cabinet & succeeded me. We remained in touch over the years, ironically till I returned to Delhi& politics separated us. RIP https://t.co/3jCtJqVzJk

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 2, 2021

Congress national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill praised Mr Mitra's art of making a point without noise and maintaining dignity during television debates.

Saddened to hear about passing away of former MP & journalist Chandan Mitra, had the opportunity to interact with him during our TV debates. His art of making a point without noise & maintaining highest standards of dignity will always be remembered. Condolences to family. RIP

— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) September 2, 2021

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said Mr Mitra contributed immensely to the field of politics and journalism. “May his family find the strength to deal with the loss,” he added.

Anguished to hear that former MP and senior journalist Chandan Mitra ji is no more. He contributed immensely to the field of politics and journalism. May his family find the strength to deal with the loss. May he rest in peace. Om Shanti

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) September 2, 2021

Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju said he was shocked and deeply saddened after hearing about the death of “dear old friend Chandan Mitra Ji”. He said he will always cherish their friendship and the memorable moments that they shared for a long time.

I'm shocked and deeply saddened to hear the demise of dear old friend Chandan Mitra Ji, a renowned senior journalist & politician. I'll always cherish our friendship and all those memorable moments that we had shared for long time.
My deepest condolences to his family???? pic.twitter.com/6tvO2Zeq7U

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 2, 2021

Mr Mitra had joined politics in 2003 as a Rajya Sabha member. In 2010, his second term in the Rajya Sabha began as a BJP lawmaker. In 2018, he quit the BJP in 2018 and joined the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.