The political landscape of Delhi mourns the loss of Vijay Kumar Malhotra, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who passed away on September 30, 2025, at the age of 93. Malhotra's career spanned over six decades, marking him as a significant figure in Delhi's political history.
Born in Lahore on December 3, 1931, before the partition of India, Malhotra's early life was shaped by the tumultuous events of the time. His family experienced the horrors of partition, which instilled in him a sense of public service. He began his political journey as a member of the Jana Sangh, a precursor to the BJP, and later became the founding president of the BJP's Delhi unit.
Malhotra's political career included serving as Delhi's first chief executive councillor in 1967. He was a two-term Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and a five-time Member of Parliament (MP). Notably, he defeated former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. Throughout his career, Malhotra was respected for his knowledge of the Indian Constitution and his tireless work among the people.
Beyond politics, Malhotra was an academician, teaching at PGDAV College for 36 years. Fondly known as "Prof. Saheb," he held a doctorate in Hindi literature and brought scholarly discipline to his political endeavors. He was also deeply involved in sports administration. Malhotra served as the president of the Archery Association of India for 44 years and played a key role in promoting archery in India. He was also acting president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from April 26, 2011, to December 5, 2012. He also served as the Chairman of the All India Council of Sports (AICS).
Malhotra's contributions extended to the organization of sports events, including the first Commonwealth Archery Championship in New Delhi in 1995. He was instrumental in including archery in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Even in his later years, Malhotra remained active in politics. Despite not holding a ministerial position, he offered to become BJP's election campaign chairman for Delhi in 2014 and led the party to a significant victory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed their condolences on Malhotra's passing. Modi acknowledged Malhotra's understanding of people's issues and his role in strengthening the BJP in Delhi. Singh recognized Malhotra's contributions to the Jana Sangh and BJP.
Malhotra's legacy includes his contributions to education, sports, and politics. He is remembered as a leader who upheld honesty and discipline, earning respect across party lines. His commitment to public service and his efforts to promote sports, particularly archery, have left a lasting impact on Delhi and India.
