Ex-J&K Governor passes away at 93

New Delhi: Former Union minister and Jammu and Kashmir governor Jagmohan, whose tough measures as an administrator in various roles won him many admirers but also drew criticism from some quarters, passed away following a spell of illness. He was 93.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to Jagmohan and described him as an exemplary administrator and devoted politician. He passed away on Monday.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced three days of state mourning from Tuesday to Thursday on the demise of the former governor.

A civil servant who made his name as a town planner while serving as the Delhi Development Authority's vice chairperson in the 70s, Jagmohan steered the controversial beautification drive in Delhi as the trusted man of Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency but his image as a no-nonsense officer and doer endured, earning him key positions, including of governor and Union minister, in the later decades.

"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," Kovind tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi said in his tribute, "Jagmohan ji's demise is a monumental loss for our nation".

"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," he said.

Jagmohan's demolition drive in the national capital, especially in old Delhi, as part of the beautification plan during the Emergency (1975-77) proved controversial as it faced protests, which turned violent in some places like Turkman Gate.

He was later made Delhi's lieutenant governor and was praised for preparing the city to host the Asian Games

in 1982.

However, it is 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 governor, was a bestseller and went into several reprints.

Jagmohan represented the BJP in Lok Sabha several times from the New Delhi constituency and was a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

A pointer to the appreciation he drew from central governments of contrasting ideologies for his work is that 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 the Modi government in 2016.