KOCHI: Justice V R Krishna Iyer, who celebrated his 100th birthday on November 13, was accorded an overwhelming reception in Kochi on Sunday.
The jurist had to make flying visits to many venues to attend the functions organised as part the birthday celebrations.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala visited Krishna Iyer at his residence at 8 am. The centenary celebrations, organised by the High Court Advocates Association and the Justice V R Krishna Iyer Centenary Celebrations Committee, were inaugurated by Governor Justice P Sathasivam.
The Governor said that Krishna Iyer was a person who strongly believed that even a convict is entitled to the rights guaranteed under Article-21 of the Constitution.
“That is why he continues to be considered as the ‘Man of Voice’ for the oppressed and distressed people, both at the national and international forums.
Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, who inaugurated the public meeting, termed Krishna Iyer as a person who is much above all the adjectives attributed to him.
“For him, law transcends its normal limits when implemented fruitfully in the lives of the common man. He has always been a supporter of the marginalised in the society. Whether it is an issue concerning tribals or an environmental issue, Keralites always listened to his take on the topic. He left an imprint of humanitarianism on every issue, be it political, social or religious. He always stood for the common man, both in his words and deeds,” he said.
Achuthanandan reminisced that Krishna Iyer had served one month’s imprisonment for giving legal assistance to the Communists in 1948.
“But, later he became an MLA and a minister. He unleashed reforms in jails, which remain a history. Many verdicts he pronounced as the Supreme Court judge were written in golden letters. He was a man who wanted to democratise judiciary to make it available to each and every person in society. The function was presided over by P Rjeeve MP. Excise Minister K Babu, PWD Minister V K Ibrahimkunju, Mayor Tony Chammany, Hibi Eden MLA, Benny Behnan MLA, Former Minister S Sarma, Prof M K Sanu and Peruvanam Kuttan Marar also attended the function.