Not an Executive President, but a Working President

An epitome of the country’s liberal and secular traditions, the first Dalit President of India K R Narayanan who synthesized his profound scholarly knowledge with political sagacity during his Presidency died in New Delhi at the Army Research and Referral Hospital on 9th November, 2005.

Born on October 27, 1920 in Uzhavoor in Kottayam district in Kerala and started his life as an untouchable in that region of Vaikom struggle. The social transformation that took place because of the 1924-25 Vaikom Satyagraha had made an untouchable the first citizen of the nation. He went to St. Mary's School and then to CMS College in Kottayam. He studied English Literature during his Masters and stood first at the University of Travancore.

The social injustice cloud prevailing in the society showered its acid rain on him, when he was denied an opportunity to work in the University of Travancore as a lecturer which he properly deserved by the Dewan of Travancore because of the ignominious reason that he hailed from Dalit community. As a mark of protest, KR boycotted the convocation and never formally accepted his degree. Fifty years later, when he had become the Vice President of India, the same university requested him which he accepted graciously.

He graduated from the London School of Economics with distinction. His distinguished career spans to greater lengths by being journalist, diplomat in Indian Foreign service, academician, Ambassador, Secretary of External affairs and Member of Parliament and Minister of State.

He is the first president in joining the queue with people to exercise his franchise by overcoming the inherited pattern followed till that time. He spoke candor on various issues relating to social and economical liberalization, nuclear program and social justice of downtrodden.

He never remained stereotyped in the ceremonial post and signing in the dotted lines of elected government’s orders. He used his discretionary powers to innovate and improvise within the confines of constitution. He returned the questionable cabinet decisions of imposition of President’s rule for reconsideration two times which bought dignity and respect to the President’s office.

He called the demolition of Babri Masjid as the greatest tragedy after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and deeply disturbed by the genocidal pogrom in Gujarat which he characterized it as a "grave crisis of society and the nation”. These remarks that his predecessors thought was not within the scheme of the President's prerogative.

It is a matter of pride that he never indulges in any religious activities and has not visited any religious institutions during his regime in Rastrapathi Bavan unlike his predecessor Mr. R Venkatraman who was believed to be a staunch devotee who wore his religious affiliations on his sleeve.

As a quintessential statesman with half century public service behind him stood for secular values and social justice all in his life. Mr. Narayanan's innate brilliance and sheer hard work took him to the highest office in India despite the many social and economic hurdles in his path which eventually elevated him as a shining model for children from the poor and oppressed classes.