Lucknow, Jan. 17 -- Veteran Hindi critic and prominent voice of the progressive movement Virendra Yadav passed away on Friday morning following a cardiac arrest at his residence in Indira Nagar, Lucknow. He was 76.

A leading voice in Hindi literary criticism and a long-time functionary of the Progressive Writers' Association (PWA), Yadav was widely respected for his fearless engagement with literature, society and politics.

His death is being described as a major loss to Hindi literature and the progressive movement rooted in social justice and critical inquiry. His last rites will be performed at Bhaisakund on Saturday at 10.30 am.

Yadav served for several years as secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Progressive Writers' Association and pl...