Media, politicians mourn Indian Catholic journalist's death
February 28, 2012: A senior Indian Catholic journalist George Joseph, who experienced
militancy in Kashmir at close quarters, died on Monday following a cardiac arrest.
He was 58. Leaders from most major political parties and representatives of various
media organizations attended a condolence meeting held at Kerala House in New Delhi. Political
leaders included federal Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran, Communist
party's Prakash Karat and D. Raja, Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajiv Pratap Rudy and
Kashmiri separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Joseph's body was flown to Kerala for the
last rites to be held tomorrow at his home parish in Kanjirapally. The senior journalist
began his career in 1980 and was currently a political editor of news agency India
Asian News Service. He began his career with the National Herald, then worked with
The Times of India before moving to the Indian Express where he had a long stint in
Srinagar during the crucial years of the insurgency in the 1990s. In his message,
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said, "I deeply condole the passing away of veteran
IANS journalist George Joseph, whom I knew well. His stories from Kashmir are worth
mentioning and include numerous scoops." Kottayam Lok Sabha MP Jose K. Mani noted
Joseph's Kashmir coverage would remain an inspiration 'for all budding journalists.' State
Finance Minister K M Mani too expressed shock at the sudden demise. "I am deeply taken
aback hearing the news of the sudden demise of one of country's leading journalists
and it was from his pen that the world came to know about the happenings in Kashmir
for a long time. I see his demise as a huge loss to journalism in the country," he
said.