May 4, 2021

New Delhi: An astute bureaucrat, seasoned administrator and refined politician, former Union Minister Jagmohan left for his heavenly abode at the age of 93. He was a trusted man of Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency, and a close confidante and ministerial colleague of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As the Vice Chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), he took on the colonizers head on. As the Union Urban Development Minister, he launched the beautification drive in Delhi against all odds and challenges including from within the system. However, his image as a no-nonsense officer and doer endured. He passed away on Monday.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid their tributes to Jagmohan and described him as an exemplary administrator and devoted politician. “In the demise of Jagmohanji, the nation has lost a unique town planner, able administrator and man of letters. His administrative & political career was marked by unparalleled brilliance. His death leaves a void that will be felt forever. My condolences to his family and friends,” said Kovind in his tweet.

Prime Minister Modi said in his tribute: “He was an exemplary administrator and a renowned scholar. He always worked towards the betterment of India. His ministerial tenure was marked by innovative policy making. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.” In his tribute, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Shri Jagmohan Ji will always be remembered for his remarkable tenure as the Governor of J&K. An able administrator and later a devoted politician who took key decisions for the nation’s peace & progress. India mourns his sad demise. My deepest condolences to his family. Om Shanti.”

Jagmohan was also made Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor and was praised for preparing the city to host the Asian Games in 1982. It was his legacy as Jammu and Kashmir governor that has polarised opinions most as his hard line on security issues drew him closer to the BJP while inviting fierce criticism from many others, including politicians from the Valley. Jagmohan was first appointed the erstwhile state's governor in 1984 and completed his five-year tenure. As militancy erupted there, he was made the governor again in 1990 but was removed within a few months as differences between him and the then V P Singh-led government at the Centre grew over tackling militancy in the region.

His book – ‘My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir’ – in which he dwelt on his tenure as a Governor was a bestseller and went into several reprints. Jagmohan represented the BJP in Lok Sabha several times from the New Delhi constituency. He received Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan when the Congress was in power at the Centre in the 70s and was then honoured with Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, by Prime Minister Modi government in 2016.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to observe three days of state mourning from Tuesday to Thursday as a mark of respect to former Governor Jagmohan. “The national flag shall fly at half-mast during the state mourning on all buildings and places where it is flown regularly. There shall be no official entertainment/function during the state mourning,” reads the notification. /BI/