Rich tributes were paid to senior journalist Vinod Mehta by people from different walks of life, including politicians, journalists and celebrities. leading the nation President Pranab Mukherjee offered his condolences and tweeted that “the eminent journalist made immense contribution to journalism”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed Mehta frank and direct in his opinions and will be remembered as a fine journalist and writer. “Condolences to his family on his demise,” Modi posted on Twitter. In his condolence message, Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari said Mehta was amongst those eminent journalists and writers of our times, who expressed their views and opinions in a fearless and outspoken manner, especially on issues of public interest and concern.
lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said Mehta’s “sad demise” had certainly left a vacuum in intellectual space. Chairman, Press Council of India Justice (retd) Chandramauli Kumar Prasad said the passing away of Vinod Mehta is deeply mourned by the Press Council of India and by him personally.
While Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said it’s a loss to journalism and his absence will be felt in every debate, Home Minister Rajnath Singh also joined in condoling the death of Mehta, saying his demise has left a big void in the field of journalism.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi too expressed their shock and deep anguish at the death of Vinod Mehta. Sonia, Jaitley, BJP veteran l K Advani¸ Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and CPI leader D Raja were amongst the eminent people who attended the last rites of Vinod Mehta.
Editors’ Guild also paid glowing tributes to its former president by stating the media world has lost a “liberal, independent voice and the world of public discourse in India, a reflective contributor who spoke his mind without rancour or fear”.
While noted journalist N Ram said he greatly admired Mehta who, he said, had unusual journalistic gifts, including an interest in investigative journalism, journalist-turned-BJP leader MJ Akbar said, “Mehta had amarvellous career as not merely a print journalist but as an innovative idea man, a concept man.” AAP leader and former journalist Ashutosh remembered him as a “very very versatile and frank journalist” who was “an institution in himself”.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also mourned his death. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also condoled the death of Mehta. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal also expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Vinod Mehta.
In their message, Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) condoled Mehta’s passing away and said that he stood for strong secular and progressive ideas and he remained a strong and consistent critic of the trend of growing conservatism in Indian society.
Bollywood stars also fondly remembered him as they offered their condolences. Anupam Kher said, “Vinod Mehta was one of the few editors I met in my early days in Mumbai. He was generous and direct. Will miss him and his straightforwardness.”
Farhan Akhtar posted on Twitter, “A voice from the school of rational thought has been lost today. Vinod Mehta. RIP.” “RIP VINOD MEHTA - TV News debates won’t be the same with out you sir,” Riteish Deshmukh posted. Music composer Vishal Dadlani said his death is a loss to the ‘world of journalism’. Actor-director Rajat Kapoor said, “RIP Vinod Mehta- he was the best...”.