Senior Journalist And Editor Sankarshan Thakur Dies

Sankarshan Thakur, a distinguished Indian journalist and editor, has died, leaving behind a legacy of incisive reporting and editorial excellence. He was 63. According to reports, the senior journalist was fighting cancer and breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. The news was shared by fellow journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta in a post on X, stating, “Senior journalist and editor Sankarshan Thakur is no more. RIP.” Thakur was widely respected for his fearless commentary and commitment to truth.

Thakur, known for his sharp political insights and evocative writing, served as the national affairs editor at The Telegraph, a prominent Indian daily and was appointed its editor in 2023.

Beyond his role at The Telegraph, Thakur was a regular panellist at media conclaves and prime time television shows. His contributions to journalism extended to his books, notably The Brothers Bihari, which explored the political dynamics of Bihar through the lives of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav. The book was lauded for its narrative depth and nuanced analysis.

Colleagues and peers mourned his loss.

“One of India’s finest reporters, a dear friend, editor of The Telegraph, Sankarshan Thakur is no more. I often disagreed with him, but always read him—and was always humbled by his brilliance, his craft, and his courage. A huge loss to journalism and to all of us who knew him. My deep condolences to Sona Thakur and the family! Om Shanti,” wrote Amitabh Mattoo, an academic from JNU.

“The wonderful Sankarshan Thakur has passed away. Editor of Telegraph, he wrote beautifully but was such a superb ground reporter. Indeed I last met him in Varanasi at the end of the 2024 election campaign. We had both been in the field in excruciating heat. I had fainted on the ghats and he would tell me he just nearly collapsed in the room. The point is this was an Editor who was sweating it out in the field. That’s what makes a great journalist. RIP Sankarshan,” wrote senior journalist Saba Naqvi.

Journalist Narendra Nath Mishra said: “ A prominent journalist of the country, the editor of The Telegraph, Sankarsan Thakur ji, who hailed from Bihar, passed away today. He had been ill for some days. He possessed remarkable knowledge about Bihar. I used to seek his wisdom during every election. The country has lost an outstanding journalist, person, and Bihari.”

“Senior journalist and editor of The Telegraph newspaper, Sankarshan Thakur passed away today. He was 63. We’ve lost a fearless voice in journalism. His sharp political analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth will be deeply missed. In this time of sorrow, the Press Club of India stands with his family, friends, and all who feel the weight of this loss,” Press Club of India said in a tweet.