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.