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| Source Credit - presidentofindia.gov.in |
His tenure intersected with the controversial period of the Emergency, influencing India's political landscape profoundly. Exploring his life, contributions, and the controversies surrounding his presidency offers valuable insights into power dynamics at the highest levels of Indian governance during a critical period.
Early Life and Political Career
Early Life and Political Career
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was born on May 13, 1905, in Delhi, then part of British India, into a politically active family.
His father, Col. Zalnur Ali Ahmed, was a respected civil servant. Ahmed received his early education in Delhi and later studied at St. Stephen's College in Delhi and the University of Cambridge, where he earned degrees in Arts and Law.
While in England, Ahmed had met and befriended Jawaharlal Nehru in 1925. Impressed by his friend’s progressive ideas, he eventually joined the Congress in 1931, after his return to India.
His political career took off post independence ,he held various positions within the Congress Party, demonstrating his organizational skills and political acumen.
His political career took off post independence ,he held various positions within the Congress Party, demonstrating his organizational skills and political acumen.
Entering politics influenced by his family and education, Ahmed actively participated in India's independence movement alongside the Indian National Congress (INC).
He rose through political ranks, serving in the Assam Legislative Assembly and
He rose through political ranks, serving in the Assam Legislative Assembly and
holding ministerial roles in the state government.
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, in 1954 through the indirect election process involving State Legislative Assemblies. His tenure allowed him to actively participate in national legislative matters.
In January 1966, during his tenure as Assam's Finance Minister, Ahmed was appointed as the Union Minister for Irrigation and Power in Indira Gandhi's initial cabinet.
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, in 1954 through the indirect election process involving State Legislative Assemblies. His tenure allowed him to actively participate in national legislative matters.
In January 1966, during his tenure as Assam's Finance Minister, Ahmed was appointed as the Union Minister for Irrigation and Power in Indira Gandhi's initial cabinet.
He was among the few ministers she retained from Shastri's cabinet, maintaining continuity in leadership. In April of the same year, he secured his second election to the Rajya Sabha.
These ministerial positions underscored Ahmed's administrative skills and dedication to advancing critical sectors essential for India's development. His experience in these roles contributed significantly to his standing within the Congress Party and paved the way for his presidency in 1974.
His Presidency
In July 1974, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was selected by Indira Gandhi and the Congress Party to stand as their nominee for the upcoming presidential election in India.
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as the 5th President of India from 1974 until his death in 1977.
These ministerial positions underscored Ahmed's administrative skills and dedication to advancing critical sectors essential for India's development. His experience in these roles contributed significantly to his standing within the Congress Party and paved the way for his presidency in 1974.
His Presidency
In July 1974, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was selected by Indira Gandhi and the Congress Party to stand as their nominee for the upcoming presidential election in India.
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as the 5th President of India from 1974 until his death in 1977.
His presidency is often remembered in the context of the Emergency period declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, which was a significant and controversial chapter in India's political history. He died while still in office on February 11, 1977, after suffering a heart attack.
Proclamation of Emergency
On the night of June 25, 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signed a proclamation declaring a state of Internal Emergency, citing severe internal disturbances threatening India's security.
Proclamation of Emergency
On the night of June 25, 1975, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signed a proclamation declaring a state of Internal Emergency, citing severe internal disturbances threatening India's security.
Acting under Indira Gandhi's directive, Ahmed, as President, did not resist her authoritarianism, failing a test of moral courage.
Ahmed's acceptance and signature were largely procedural; the crackdown on political opponents, students, and trade unionists had already begun hours earlier. It was widely known that Ahmed, a longtime Congressman and former minister in the Congress cabinet, acted on Indira's instructions.
Even before the President's formal endorsement, 139 prominent senior leaders had been arrested by the police.
Indira sought to modify existing laws through Parliament, shielding herself from legal repercussions once the Emergency ended. Ahmed was instrumental in approving all the extraordinary laws passed outside the usual parliamentary process.
The legality of this decision was questioned since there were no intelligence reports from agencies like the Intelligence Bureau or the Home Ministry, nor had state governors reported any significant disturbances.
Additionally, the proposal had not been discussed by the Union Council of Ministers.
The legality of this decision was questioned since there were no intelligence reports from agencies like the Intelligence Bureau or the Home Ministry, nor had state governors reported any significant disturbances.
Additionally, the proposal had not been discussed by the Union Council of Ministers.
Despite concerns about constitutional propriety being raised to him, Ahmed did not challenge the decision and opted to sign the emergency proclamation, which was presented to him by the Prime Minister's personal secretary, R. K. Dhawan.
Subsequently, the next morning, Prime Minister Gandhi addressed the nation on All India Radio, announcing the Emergency with the statement, The President has declared an emergency. There is no need for alarm.
The Emergency, which continued until March 21, 1977, witnessed the curtailment of civil liberties, arrests of opposition figures, restrictions on political parties, suspension of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, and censorship of the media.
Subsequently, the next morning, Prime Minister Gandhi addressed the nation on All India Radio, announcing the Emergency with the statement, The President has declared an emergency. There is no need for alarm.
The Emergency, which continued until March 21, 1977, witnessed the curtailment of civil liberties, arrests of opposition figures, restrictions on political parties, suspension of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, and censorship of the media.
This period is often characterized as a dark chapter in India's democratic history.
Constitutional Duties vs Personal Interests
As President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's primary constitutional duty was to act as the guardian of the Indian Constitution and to ensure that the government operated within the framework of the law.
This included approving the proclamation of Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution if he was satisfied that a grave emergency existed whereby the security of India was threatened by internal disturbances.
Ahmed's approval of the Emergency proclamation led to significant criticism and accusations that he acted as a rubber stamp president, failing to assert the independence and scrutiny expected of the presidential office.
Constitutional Duties vs Personal Interests
As President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's primary constitutional duty was to act as the guardian of the Indian Constitution and to ensure that the government operated within the framework of the law.
This included approving the proclamation of Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution if he was satisfied that a grave emergency existed whereby the security of India was threatened by internal disturbances.
Ahmed's approval of the Emergency proclamation led to significant criticism and accusations that he acted as a rubber stamp president, failing to assert the independence and scrutiny expected of the presidential office.
Critics argued that he prioritized personal loyalty over constitutional principles during a period of national crisis.
Parallels Between Ahmed and Other Authoritarians
There is no doubt about the fact that Ahmed was a spineless leader and his silence led to the screams of millions during the emergency.
Parallels Between Ahmed and Other Authoritarians
There is no doubt about the fact that Ahmed was a spineless leader and his silence led to the screams of millions during the emergency.
He is no better than Paul von Hindenburg who was the president of Germany at the time and helped Hitler rise to power or Viktor Yanukovych, the President of Ukraine who was a sympathizer of Russia.
Final Thoughts
Owing to his spinelessness, Ahmed’s legacy in the heavy book of Indian democracy is reduced to the footnotes. Our democracy has no need for weak and conformist leaders ,merely continuing the chain of bad decisions where the previous office holder left it.
This catastrophe just goes to show that power corrupts but infinite power corrupts infinitely.
Written by Niamat Kaur Gill
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact on this email address - niamatkgwork@gmail.com
Final Thoughts
Owing to his spinelessness, Ahmed’s legacy in the heavy book of Indian democracy is reduced to the footnotes. Our democracy has no need for weak and conformist leaders ,merely continuing the chain of bad decisions where the previous office holder left it.
This catastrophe just goes to show that power corrupts but infinite power corrupts infinitely.
Written by Niamat Kaur Gill
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact on this email address - niamatkgwork@gmail.com
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