Overview
- AIIMS Raipur confirmed the eminent Hindi writer died on December 23 at 4:58 pm after being admitted on December 2 for breathing difficulties.
- Funeral rites were held on December 24 at Marwadi Shamshan Ghat in Raipur, where Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joined pallbearers in the procession.
- Tributes poured in from across India, including messages from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his contributions to literature.
- Shukla received the 59th Jnanpith Award this year, becoming the first recipient from Chhattisgarh, and earlier won the Sahitya Akademi Award for Deewar Mein Ek Khirki Rehti Thi.
- Reports differed on his age at death, with some citing 88 and others 89, and his body of work includes Naukar Ki Kameez, later adapted by filmmaker Mani Kaul.