India should remain a socialist secular country, said Justice V R Krishna Iyer on his 99th birthday.
The former judge of the Supreme Court was addressing a function organised by Maduraibased Society for Community Organisation Trust in Kochi to mark his 99th birthday.
“The administration, police and judiciary should stand for the common man and the downtrodden. He emphasised the importance of having an India where the preamble of the Constitution prevails in its true sense. His book ‘Who lives if secular India dies?’ was released at the function by Justice N Kirubakaran of the Madras High Court by handing over a copy to former judge of Madras High Court Justice K Chandru. Justice K Chandru said Justice Krishna Iyer was a multifaceted personality who belonged to the entire mankind and not to a particular state or country. He also mentioned Krishna Iyer’s ability to make even enemies of his friends.
According to Justice Kirubakaran, Krishna Iyer’s failure in the election was the biggest gain for the bar and judiciary in India. “The courts in India and some abroad follow his judgments. His contributions form an integral part of the Indian judiciary,” he pointed out. Senior Division Civil Judge S Sathiamoorthy said Krishna Iyer’s contributions to the state as an advocate was greater than that as a judge. He defended the rights of the underprivileged and helped them get justice. Well wishers from all walks of life arrived at his abode in the morning to offer their wishes and seek his blessings. In an official birthday message, forwarded to Central and State Ministers, cultural leaders and the legal fraternity, Justice Krishna Iyer said, “My sisters and brothers of India, your creative cooperation and compassion bore me up to 99 years on earth, doing some service to society. My salute to the nation! With passion I wish that the government of Kerala and India and all political parties together struggle to make this poverty-stricken land a socialist, secular, democratic republic so that each one is able to sleep peacefully with a sense of fraternity. This will be the fittest fulfillment of the Constitution.”