Distinguished Historian K N Panikkar Passes Away

Thiruvananthapuram: Renowned historian K N Panikkar, widely regarded as one of the leading scholars of modern Indian history, passed away in Thiruvananthapuram. He died at SUT Hospital, just as the Kerala Council for Historical Research was preparing to celebrate his 90th birthday.

K N Panikkar was known for his firm commitment to secular and objective historical scholarship. Through his writings and academic work, he strongly resisted the entry of Hindutva politics and its moves towards ideological supremacy. His stand often brought him criticism and threats from communal groups, yet he remained steadfast in defending academic freedom and secular values.

Over the decades, Panikkar made invaluable contributions as a historian, an intellectual, cultural activist, and educationist. He served for many years as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

CPI(M) State Secretary M V Govindan extended his condolences in his death. "The modern historian of India, the guardian of secularism, has become a part of history. With the demise of Dr. K. N. Panikkar,

an irreplaceable gap has been created in the field of Indian historical research. We have lost a brilliant historian, " he added.

He is survived by his children Ragini and Shalini, and sons-in-law Peethambar and R. V. Raman. His wife Usha Bhargava, a native of Rajasthan, had passed away earlier. Panikkar’s death marks the loss of a distinguished scholar who dedicated his life to defending secular and progressive traditions in Indian historiography.