A colossus of justice is no more after completing 100 years of mortal existence .
A synonym of justice , VR Krishna Iyer's life and contribution has only few parallels in post-Independent India. As Minister of Law in the first democratically elected Communist government on earth led by EMS Namboodiripad in Kerala, iyer piloted the epochmaking land reform legislation which conferred land rights to the dispossessed landless poor and the Dalits. Since then,for nearly 60 years ,Iyer carried his crusade for justice for the deprived and the neglected as Minister, Lawyer,Supreme Court judge,and social activist.
Justice Iyer changed the political, social and legal landscape of India through his landmark judgements. His judgement on the redefinition of INDUSTRY under the Industrial Disputes Act has brought unimaginable benefits to the working class.He abolished the cruel practice of routine handcuffing of prisoners.He ordered that the prisoners could study, write examinations ,write articles and books during their jail sentence . Justice Iyer is the main father figure of PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in the country which has revolutionised Indian jurisprudence ,and ensured justice to the millions and protected people from the arbitrariness of the politicians,bureaucracy , police and other oppressive forces .Justice Iyer's social change making judicial pronouncements are legion.His siglehanded contribution for the well-being and development of the people of India is more than even that of a goverment.
Till the last breath Justice Iyer worked for people's causes through speeches, campaigns , letters, etc.. His was the voice of hope for the desperate. A personal experience is unforgettable.He inaugurated a conference on human rights at Chennai straight from the hospital after a heart related surgery despite the advice of the doctors because he had earlier assured us that he would inaugurate the programme.After the inauguration, we dropped him at the hospital. A rare commitment.
Justice Iyer's judgements are literary pieces worth reading again and again. The government of India should commission a team of scholars to document Justice Iyer's judgements, speeches and letters for wider dissemination.
One debatable spot in Justice Iyer's unblemished career is his judgement on the Allahabad High Court order which enabled Indira Gandhi to continue as Prime Minister in 1975 .The declaration of National Emergency by Mrs. Gandhi is attributed to Iyer's judgement. This controversy in no way undermines the phenomenal life and service to the nation and the people by Justice Iyer.The eminent jurist deserved Bharath Ratna during his life time. Having failed to do so, his memory may be honoured with a posthumous Bharath Ratna as that would be a recognition of the causes of human rights, social justce, and equity
so dear to the great man and so vital for the Indian nation.
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