Karan Jeet Singh: As we remember him

Nitin Jain

“Let her be, at least now... Gauri Lankesh met with a violent end. She was not violent. Only she firmly believed in what she did and spoke her mind about it. Time for a dignified mourning for a fine journalist and not wasteful talk whether “activism” makes one a lesser newsperson or not. By doing so, we are merely laying bare our own, hyperactive allegiances, little else.”

Little did KJ Singh, brutally murdered along with his bedridden nonagenarian mother at his Mohali residence on Saturday, who posted these remarks on his Facebook wall on September 6, imagine that he too would meet the fate of Gauri Lankesh, who was gunned down at Bengaluru in Karnataka on September 5.

A tearful farewell was given to Singh and his mother on Sunday afternoon.

Recalling their association with KJ Singh, who had worked in senior positions in The Indian Express, The Times of India and The Tribune, seasoned journalists paid rich compliments to the departed soul and mourned the grave loss to the world of journalism.

Former Senior News Editor of The Indian Express, Parveen K Modi, said: “A friendly backstop and a dependable ally, he was an asset on the news desk. Always full-sleeved even on hot and humid summer days, KJ — nickname for Karan Jeet; not many of his peers knew his full name — had the ability to polish any copy to make it readable. He took to computers like a fish takes to water and knew the language and its nuances well. His tragic death is a great loss to the world of the media, especially the desk. May his soul rest in peace.”

His peers also took to the social media to express their outrage.

Kharar AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu said: “I am shocked ät the murder of KJ Singh, my journalism colleague of many years. While the police are still investigating the gruesome murder and it may be too early to hazard any guesses, but on first thought one cannot but help saying that this is a telling commentary on the lawlessness that prevails in Punjab. Time for the CM to appoint a full-time Home Minister. I had an occasion to work with KJ closely when I was the Resident Editor of The Indian Express, Chandigarh, from 1993 to 2000. He was one of the senior colleagues on the desk and was instrumental in the launch of Chandigarh Newsline, which became a trendsetter of city pullouts in the country. KJ’s editing and layout skills were exemplary. He later went on to work for ToI and became the Chief News Editor of The Tribune. Though I had not met him for some time now, his diligence at work and quiet demeanour remains fresh in my memory and will remain so always. Farewell, KJ, my friend!”

“I still can’t believe he is no more. A thorough professional and gentleman. He wouldn’t hurt a fly and someone has taken his life so brutally,” wrote the former Resident Editor of The Indian Express, Vipin Pubby, on his FB wall.

Senior journalist Manraj Grewal mentioned, “Terribly heartbreaking. He was such an amazing person, an awesome teacher. Still can’t believe this.

Former Chief of Bureau of The Tribune Prabhjot Singh expressed: “Very sad to learn about this gruesome incident. KJ was a lovable, warm, friendly and a peaceful man. Why good people like him had to be a victim of such dastardly violence. My heartfelt condolences to all those who knew him. He was a great friend and a wonderful human being. It is a great personal loss.””

Former journalist Ritu Ghai recalled: “Fountain pens with different colour inks (something I copy till date), silk scarf around his neck and the infectious smile is what I want to always remember him for and not for September 23. Hope I got the language and punctuation right, KJ! Rest in peace...”