Sankarshan Thakur, editor of The Telegraph, passed away on September 8 in a Gurgaon hospital. He was 63 and had been unwell for some time, having recently undergone surgery.
Thakur was widely regarded for his sharp political analysis and detailed ground reporting. Known especially for his coverage of Bihar’s politics, he authored books such as Making of Laloo Yadav, The Unmaking of Bihar, Single Man: The Life and Times of Nitish Kumar of Bihar and The Brothers Bihari.
Born and educated in Patna, Thakur studied at St. Xavier High School before graduating in political science from Hindu College, Delhi University. He began his career with Sunday magazine of the Ananda Bazar Patrika group, later reporting extensively from Bihar and Kashmir.
His journalistic journey took him through leading newsrooms, including The Indian Express and Tehelka. At The Indian Express, his coverage of political violence in Manipur in June 2001 drew attention for its depth and clarity. He was honoured with the Prem Bhatia award in 2001 for excellence in political journalism.
Before taking charge as editor of The Telegraph, Thakur had served as the paper’s national affairs editor.
The news of his death triggered tributes across the political and journalistic spectrum. The Press Club of India described him as a “fearless voice in journalism.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge noted his “incisive reporting and eloquent style,” while Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh called him “a delightfully brilliant writer” whose work on Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir set him apart.
Thakur’s passing leaves behind an enduring body of political writing and ground reporting, a career that spanned decades and shaped public conversations around some of India’s most contested political landscapes.