Tributes pour in for poet-cop Keki N Daruwalla

Tributes poured in for renowned poet and former Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer Keki N Daruwalla, who passed away on Friday. Prominent leaders, writers and academics took to social media to express their condolences, sharing fond memories of the celebrated poet-cop.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, remembered Daruwalla as "one of the most delightful persons I have known."

Ramesh talked about Daruwalla’s distinguished career in India’s intelligence establishment, including the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), alongside his literary contributions.

"Keki was a very well-known poet and fiction writer. He had won prestigious awards for his works, which have been translated into different languages. Tremendously witty and always with a smile, he spoke truth to power at all times," Ramesh wrote. "A man of great compassion and empathy, he reflected all that is noble in our syncretic culture."

TMC leader Sagarika Ghosh recalled Daruwalla as a family friend.

"Very saddened to hear of the demise of Keki N Daruwalla, an old and dear friend of my family. He wrote the most intense, visually dramatic and fascinating poetry and was, at the same time, a policeman and a RAW officer! Who says cops don’t make great poets? Godspeed Keki Daruwalla. RIP," Ghosh said on social media.

Amitabh Mattoo, Dean (School of International Affairs), Jawaharlal Nehru University, also took to X to express his condolences.

“Keki Daruwalla, brilliant poet, unremarkable spy, wonderful human being moves on! RIP my friend!" Mattoo posted.