Eminent Pakistani-Canadian columnist Tarek Fatah passed away on Monday after a prolonged battle with Cancer at the age of 73. His journalist daughter Natasha Fatah shared the news on micro-blogging site Twitter.

“Lion of Punjab. Son of Hindustan. Lover of Canada. Speaker of truth. Fighter for justice. Voice of the down-trodden, underdogs, and the oppressed. Tarek Fatah has passed the baton on... his revolution will continue with all who knew and loved him. Will you join us? 1949-2023," Natasha tweeted.

Fatah always called himself an Indian born in Pakistan.  Fatah had been critical of the partition of India, and carving out of an “Islamic” state of Pakistan. Fatah was a critic of Pakistan. He questioned the legitimacy of the state and advocated support for Baloch separatists. He believed after Balochistan wins independence, the remainder of Pakistan will reunify with India.

Born in Pakistan in 1949, Fatah migrated to Canada in the early 1980s and worked as a political activist, journalist and television host in Canada and authored several books.

The RSS on Monday condoled the demise of Fatah and said his significant contributions to the media as well as the literary world will be greatly remembered. In a condolence message posted on Twitter, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said Fatah was an eminent thinker, author and commentator.

“His significant contributions to the media and the literary world will be greatly remembered. He remained committed to his principles and beliefs throughout his life and was respected for his courage and conviction,” he said.