RIP Sumit Chakravartty, former editor of Mainstream

He is survived by his wife, Gargi, an eminent historian and left activist, and his son, Sagnik, an editor.

Chakravartty was the general secretary of the Editors Guild of India between 1999 and 2001. He had also held other positions in the Guild. 

Chakravartty, son of legendary journalist-editor Nikhil Chakravartty, was known for his principled journalism under whom Mainstream retained its respectability and a dedicated readership. He forwarded the progressive ideas he inherited through the journal.

As a young man, Sumit had the unenviable task of living up to his parents’ legacy. His mother, Renu Chakravartty, was elected thrice to the Lok Sabha. She was the niece of BC Roy, first chief minister of West Bengal. Both parents shared the Oxbridge connection and had joined the British Communist Party as students. His father, Nikhil Chakravartty, founded Mainstream in 1962. Over the years, it became a platform for critical discourse in the country. He was the “father figure” for the press freedom movement; whether it was the Emergency (1975-77) or the Defamation Bill (1989), he always led from the front. He declined the Padma Bhushan in 1990, saying “journalists should not be identified with the establishment”.

Chakravartty’s legacy brought high expectations, and public scrutiny. He was Patriot’s Moscow correspondent and worked with The Daily before joining Mainstream. He came out with flying colours by combining journalism and activism. His journalism fostered informed debate and gave space to diverse viewpoints, while his activism was driven by values of democracy, secularism, scientific temper and Gandhian antyodaya. From Singur to Bhima Koregaon — statements, appeals, reports and documents were featured in Mainstream.

In a press statement, Editors Guild of India said, “While his passing leaves a definite void, Chakravartty will remain an inspiration to journalists who value commitment to their cause.”