Remembering Udayan Sharma: A voice for secular and people-centred journalism

Senior journalist and author Anurag Chaturvedi paid homage to Udayan Sharma in a social media post, saying his writing remains highly relevant in today’s communal climate

by e4m Staff
Published: Apr 23, 2026 4:01 PM | 2 min read

Senior journalist Udayan Sharma, remembered on his death anniversary today, passed away on April 23, 2001, and was known for his fearless, people-centric, and secular approach to Hindi journalism.
Tributes on social media highlight his enduring relevance, particularly in the context of contemporary communal issues, with notable figures like Anurag Chaturvedi acknowledging his deep understanding of such forces.
Born on July 11, 1949, Sharma contributed significantly to Hindi journalism through his work on the publication Ravivar in 1977, which aimed to connect journalism with public concerns and social issues.
A vocal critic of communalism, Sharma emphasized the journalist's role in raising awareness and advocating for marginalized voices, and his commitment to fairness and accuracy in reporting was widely recognized.

Senior journalist Udayan Sharma is being remembered on his death anniversary today. He passed away on 23 April 2001, marking the loss of a fearless, people-centric and secular voice in Hindi journalism.

Tributes have also been pouring in on social media. Senior journalist and author Anurag Chaturvedi paid homage to Sharma in a Facebook post, saying his writing remains highly relevant in today’s communal climate. He noted that Sharma had a deep understanding of such forces and was able to recognise them clearly.

Born on 11 July 1949, Sharma was not only a journalist but also an active social thinker. In 1977, he worked alongside M. J. Akbar and Surendra Pratap Singh on the publication Ravivar, which brought a new direction to Hindi journalism. His writing during that period helped connect journalism more closely with public concerns and social issues.

Sharma was known for his socialist and secular outlook. For him, journalism was not just about reporting events, but about raising awareness and bringing about change. He believed that a journalist’s role was also to explain the causes and impact behind events.

He had a strong passion for reporting and continued to value it even after becoming an editor. He believed that editors who distance themselves from reporting lose touch with the ground realities.

Sharma was a consistent and vocal critic of communalism, opposing such forces across all communities. His reporting on riots was widely regarded as accurate and reliable, with his work often translated and published in English publications.

He was also known for his fairness. If he later understood another side of an issue, he was willing to acknowledge it and revise his views.

At a time when the role and direction of journalism continue to be widely debated, Sharma’s ideas and values remain instructive. His work serves as a reminder that the true purpose of the media is to give voice to the weaker and marginalised sections of society.