1998: Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer
In every age and
land, there arises voices that give expression to the concern and yearnings of
the mute masses. They echo the agonies
of the underprivileged condemned to a life of deprivation for the faults of
others. They reflect the hopes of the
suffering people for better days to come.
In this age and in this land, the voice that rings out loudest and
clearest on behalf of the helpless millions is that of Mr. Justice V.R.Krishna
Iyer.
Vaidhyanathapuram
Rama Ayyar Krishna Iyer had the rare opportunity to serve his compatriots from
all three limbs of the State. The
Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
The forum changed, the functions changed but his goal remained the same
at all times. Service to fellow beings,
especially the poorest of the poor prompted him to help them so that they may
enjoy the same rights as the rest and the human rights ideals may thus be
realized fully and universally.
He began the
crusade as a young lawyer in a small town in
Kerala at a time when human rights advocacy was not a
popular cause and was indeed fraught with danger.
Later, as a
Member of the Assembly he first got into the hallowed precincts of the
legislature. When a communist led
government was voted to power in Kerala in an epoch making election, he was
called upon to shoulder the responsibilities of Law Minister and Home
Minister. He used the opportunity to let
the wind of change blow through the musty corridors of power. He gave primacy to prison reforms during the
brief period he held the ministerial office.
After a short
spell as a Judge of the Kerala High Court, Mr. Krishna Iyer was elevated to the
Supreme Court Bench. As the Apex Court
acted to rebuild the democratic structure that had been battered by the
emergency, he played a leading art in fortifying the protective mechanisms to
enable it to withstand future assaults on civil and political rights. He also strove conscientiously to secure
social, economic and cultural rights for all.
Having retired
from the service of the State, he continued in the service of the people’s
spectrum of NGO’s in the country and abroad. He became a tireless campaigner
for protection and promotion of human rights.
Traveling far and wide he makes common cause with every victim of human
rights violation be he a child worker, a bonded labourer, a dispossessed
Adivasi or a shelterless old man.
As Supreme Court
Judge, he played a significant role in evolving the concept of public interest
litigation, which is unique and effective instrument for the protection of
Human
Rights.
In recognisation
of his meritorious services in the cause of human rights, Vigil India Movement
accorded the M.A.Thomas National Human Rights Award 1998 to Mr.V.R.Krishna
Iyer.