‘He knew how to call a spade a spade’: Veteran journalist H K Dua dies at 88; Tharoor, Tewari, Badal pay tribute

Veteran journalist, ex-diplomat and former member of Rajya Sabha, Hari Krishan Dua, died at a private hospital in New Delhi on Wednesday. The 88-year-old had helmed four national Indian dailies, including The Indian Express, as editor before transitioning into a diplomat.

He helmed editorial operations at The Hindustan Times and The Tribune, and briefly served as Editorial Advisor at The Times of India.

Tributes poured in from several quarters for the Padma Bhushan awardee, who had the distinction of serving under both the NDA and UPA regimes. A nominated member of the Upper House, Dua was also part of the National Security Council under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime.

Terming him a “journalistic giant”, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor wrote on X: “Saddened to learn that Shri H. K. Dua — Padma Bhushan, former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Editor, Media Advisor to the former Prime Minister of India, and India’s former Ambassador to Denmark — passed away peacefully this afternoon at 88.”

He said, “He had the rare distinction of having been Editor of the Hindustan Times @httweets from 1987–94, the @IndianExpress from 1994–96, and @thetribunechd from 2003–09! A journalistic giant has left us. My sincere condolences to his widow Adity, his children and loved ones.”

Tharoor’s colleague Manish Tewari sought to appreciate Dua’s steadfastness in the face of pressure as well as his fairness. “…Sad to learn about the passing away of Sh HK Dua… he chose to live by his convictions…,” Tewari wrote on X. “Media Adviser to Prime Minister Late Sh Atal Behari Vajpayee, Indian Ambassador to Denmark, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Prime Minister Late Dr Manmohan Singh. A very warm human being and totally unpretentious he knew how to call a spade a spade. Rest in Peace Dua Sahib,” he added.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said Dua was a towering figure in Indian journalism and had left behind an enduring legacy. “Mr Dua upheld editorial independence with unwavering integrity, sharp insight, and commitment to democratic values,” he said in a post.

Dua was admitted to the hospital around three weeks ago, sources said. His cremation will take place at Lodhi Road crematorium on Thursday, they added.

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