New Delhi, August 23:  Veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayyar breathed his last on Wednesday night in a hospital in Delhi. He was 95 years old. Nayyar was nominated as a Member of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament in 1997. The veteran Indian journalist was a syndicated columnist, human right activist, author and ex-High commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. He was known for his long career as a left-wing political commentator. Nayyar's demise comes a day after Gurudas Kamat, former MoS and Mumbai Congress leader, passed away in Primus Hospital in New Delhi's Chanakyapuri on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and said Nayyar will always be remembered. "Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times.Frank&fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service & commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences", PM Modi tweeted.

Nayar has been leading peace activists to light candles on the Independence days of Pakistan and India (14/15 August) at the Attari-Wagah India-Pakistan border near Amritsar every year since 2000.

As a political commentator, Nayar wrote his views freely on a wide range of issues.  The 95-year old journalist had also supported Anna Hazare's movement and chided the Pakistan Government for not apologising for the army atrocities in East Pakistan in 1971 that led to the formation of Bangladesh, and for allowing drugs to be smuggled into India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2018 08:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).