Ajit Bhattacharjea

Ajit Bhattacharjea (8 May 1924 – 4 April 2011) was a veteran Indian journalist, newspaper editor and campaigner for democratic rights, and the Right to Information Act. In a career spanning nearly 60 years, he remained the editor of the Hindustan Times, The Times of India and The Indian Express and after his retirement in 1983, was the director of the Press Institute of India till 2004.

A fellow of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, he also edited the journal, Transparency Review, published by Centre for Media Studies (CMS) in Delhi.

Early life and education Born in Shimla, Bhattacharjea did his B.A. and M.A. from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

Career Bhattacharjea started his career as an apprentice sub—editor and reporter with the Hindustan Times in 1946. Here, in 1947, he first covered the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, and went there again as war spilled on to 1948. He remained associated with Kashmir related issue for the majority of his career. He joined The Statesman in New Delhi, in 1951, though he returned to the Hindustan Times in 1961 as its Washington correspondent and at the United Nations. This was followed by his move back to Delhi in 1967, when he assumed the editorship of Delhi edition. However, soon the weekly was closed during the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi. Nevertheless, he was appointed the editor of The Indian Express, where he continued to offer vocal opposition to the government policies and censorship.

At age 87, he died on 5 April 2011 at his home in Panchsheel Park, New Delhi, after a six-month illness due to brain tumour, having refused any surgery or chemotherapy. He was survived by his son Aditya, daughters Suman and Nomita, and three grandchildren.