Remembering a Conscience-Keeper: Celebrating the Birth Anniversary of Sushil Tripathi

 In a society where silence is often rewarded and truth is punished, voices like that of Sushil Tripathi stand as moral landmarks. His birth anniversary is not merely a date on the calendar—it is a reminder of resistance, courage, and the uncompromising pursuit of justice.

The images from the commemorative programme capture more than a formal gathering. They document a living tradition of people’s journalism and human rights advocacy, carried forward by those who refuse to forget.

A Gathering of Memory and Resistance

The programme, organised to mark the birth anniversary of senior journalist Sushil Tripathi, brought together journalists, social activists, writers, and human rights defenders. Floral tributes were offered to his portrait, symbolising collective gratitude to a man who consistently stood with the marginalised and the voiceless.

The hall resonated with shared memories—of Tripathi’s fearless reporting, his sharp critique of state violence, and his unwavering solidarity with victims of injustice. Speakers recalled how he used journalism not as a profession alone, but as a public responsibility.

Journalism Beyond Headlines

Sushil Tripathi belonged to a generation of journalists who believed that journalism must speak truth to power. He reported from the ground, amplified voices of victims of custodial violence, caste atrocities, fake encounters, and state apathy—often at great personal risk.

In an era increasingly dominated by corporate media and manufactured narratives, his work reminds us of what ethical journalism truly means:

• Standing with victims, not institutions

• Questioning authority, not echoing it

• Documenting injustice, not sanitising it

Linking Memory with the Present Struggle

The discussions during the programme did not remain confined to the past. Participants strongly connected Tripathi’s legacy with present realities—rising custodial deaths, encounter killings, deaths due to electrocution, and systemic neglect of the poor.

Recent human rights cases, including deaths in police custody and negligence by state agencies, were cited as evidence that the struggle Tripathi stood for is far from over. His legacy lives on in every complaint filed, every fact-finding report prepared, and every voice raised against injustice.

A Collective Responsibility

The presence of senior citizens, young activists, journalists, and community members reflected a shared understanding: remembering Sushil Tripathi is also a commitment—to continue questioning, documenting, and resisting injustice.

Such commemorations are not rituals of nostalgia. They are acts of political and moral reaffirmation. They remind us that democracy survives not because of power, but because of dissent.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

As garlands were placed and speeches concluded, one message stood clear:

The best tribute to Sushil Tripathi is not remembrance alone—but action.

To write when silence is safer.

To stand with victims when neutrality is convenient.

To defend human dignity when the system fails.

His life urges us to ask: If not now, then when? If not us, then who?