Malik takes oath as J&K Governor, Vohra skips ceremony

Srinagar: Veteran politician Satya Pal Malik on Thursday took oath of office as the 13th Governor of Jammu and Kashmir here at a ceremony, which was skipped by outgoing Governor NN Vohra, who had held the post since 2008.

Chief Justice Gita Mittal administered the oath to Malik, 72, at the sprawling lawns of the Raj Bhavan.

His warrant of appointment by President Ram Nath Kovind was read out by Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam.

Former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Union Minister of state (PMO) Jitender Singh, Speaker of Legislative Assembly Dr Nirmal Singh, judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, MPs, legislators, senior civil and Army officers, heads of constitutional bodies, Governor's Advisors -- B. B. Vyas, K. Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, and Director General of Police S.P. Vaid attended the event.

When the media approached Malik for comments on his appointment, he said: "The Governor does not speak."

Born on July 24, 1946 to a family of agriculturists in Uttar Pradesh, Malik was previously the Governor of Bihar and Odisha, and was appointed Jammu and Kashmir Governor by the President on August 21.

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He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly during 1974-77. He was also the member of the 9th Lok Sabha and represented Aligarh Constituency from 1989 to 1991. He was member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh for two terms -- 1980-86 and 1986-1992.

Malik served as Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism, from April 21, 1990 to November 10, 1990. He has been member of several parliamentary committees including Panel of Chairman, General Purposes Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Chairman, Joint Sub Committee on Telecasting of Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, Chairman, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table, and Parliamentary Consultative Committee.

A poet and author, Malik has authored two books on poetry and a political commentary.

Having special interest in history and archaeology, Malik is also known for his social activities including establishing day-care centres for the children of poor labourers. He has also organised several farmer and youth movements during his political career stretching over six decades.