Thiruvananthapuram: Senior journalist and resident editor of Janmabhumi Malayalam daily, K. Kunjikkannan (74), passed away at Thiruvananthapuram on September 9. He had been seriously ill for a couple of days and was hospitalised.
Kunjikkannan had spent nearly five decades in journalism and had been associated with Janmabhumi since its inception as a morning daily in 1977. He was widely known in Kerala as a political correspondent and author of several books.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Governor of Keralam, expressed profound grief over the demise of K. Kunjikkannan.
In a message on X, the Governor said, “I express my profound grief at the demise of Shri K. Kunjikkannan, veteran journalist and Resident Editor of Janmabhumi Malayalam Daily. A committed journalist and principled public servant, he upheld the highest ideals of value-based journalism and made invaluable contributions to the social, cultural and organisational spheres. His passing is an irreparable loss to the media fraternity and society. I convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.”
I express my profound grief at the demise of Shri K. Kunhikannan, veteran journalist and Resident Editor of Janmabhumi Malayalam Daily
A committed journalist and principled public servant, he upheld the highest ideals of value-based journalism and made invaluable contributions to… pic.twitter.com/5ZqLhfidqi— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) September 10, 2026
BJP Keralam pays homage to veteran journalist K. Kunjikkannan
ബിജെപി സംസ്ഥാന സമിതി അംഗവും ജന്മഭൂമി റെസിഡന്റ് എഡിറ്ററുമായ കെ കുഞ്ഞിക്കണ്ണന്(74) അന്തരിച്ചു.
അരനൂറ്റാണ്ടിലേറെക്കാലമായി മാധ്യമ രംഗത്തു പ്രവര്ത്തിക്കുന്ന അദ്ദേഹം ജന്മഭൂമി പത്രത്തിന്റെ തുടക്കം മുതല് ഒപ്പമുണ്ട്.
രാഷ്ട്രീയലേഖകന്, ഗ്രന്ഥകാരന് എന്നീ നിലകളിലും പ്രശസ്തനാണ്.… pic.twitter.com/Nq6JY5toPE
— BJP KERALAM (@BJP4Keralam) September 10, 2026
Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences on the demise of K. Kunjikkannan. He said the late journalist had rich experience in his field.
Kunjikkannan was also active in politics and served as a state committee member of the BJP. Born in Kannur district, he began his social life as an RSS Swayamsevak.
After completing his high school education, he became a full-time worker of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and carried out organisational work in Kasargod and Kannur.
In 1968, he participated in a camp in Taliparamba, Kannur, which was attended by Guruji M.S. Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of the RSS.
After the Emergency, Kunjikkannan took over as Kannur zilla secretary and state committee member of Yuv Janata, the youth wing of the Janata Party. When the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha was organised in Kerala, he became its first state general secretary. He later served as its state president and contested the Peravoor and Kannur Assembly constituencies as a BJP candidate.
Kunjikkannan was also actively involved in the organisational activities of journalists. He served as state vice-president and Thiruvananthapuram district president of the Kerala Journalists Union. He was also chairman of the Kesari Smaraka Journalist Trust and secretary of the Kannur Press Club.
He served on various official councils in the media sector, including as a member of the Film Censor Board, Telecom Advisory Board and Kerala State Press Accreditation Committee.
Kunjikkannan authored several books, including K.G. Marar Rashtreeyathile Snehasagaram, Munnanikal Bharichu Mudicha Keralam, Keralam Marupuram, Mara Neekkunna Bheekarata, Adimachangala, Nandigram and Atalji, Oru Vismayam.
His political analysis and Assembly reviews attracted thousands of readers. He regularly wrote the column “Marupuram” in Janmabhumi and was known for his ability to analyse political issues with a sharp and sarcastic style.
The Kerala Assembly had felicitated Kunjikkannan for his long career in journalism. He was also the recipient of the B.K. Sekhar Puraskaram, Kanjangad Tapasya Puraskaram and Guruji Sevasamiti Puraskaram.
Kunjikkannan witnessed the changing social and political landscape of Keralam. His journey began in the countryside of Kannur and progressed through social and political activities before he established himself in the media sector. These experiences shaped him into a versatile personality.
He had been a resident of Thiruvananthapuram for nearly four decades. His wife, Premaja, had passed away some time ago. He is survived by two daughters, a son-in-law and two grandchildren.
Hundreds of prominent personalities and thousands of people paid their last respects to the departed journalist.
