K.N. Panikkar, a historian who defended India’s secular intellectual traditions

K.N. Panikkar, a distinguished historian and public intellectual, passed away leaving behind a legacy of shaping generations of students and scholars on history, culture, and politics. He was known for his Marxist perspective and rigorous historical writing, consistently challenging communal interpretations of Indian history while defending secular values. His outspoken criticism of Hindutva politics led to threats from communal groups but he remained steadfast in his commitment to India's secular intellectual traditions. Indian History Congress (IHC) president Rajan Gurukkal praised Panikkar for broadening the scope of modern Indian history, while Aditya Mukherjee, another student and former colleague at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), remembered him as a kind and brilliant teacher. Panikkar's work focused on exploring the socio-cultural fabric of marginalized communities and challenged attempts to communalize Indian history.