Former Defence Minister George Fernandes passes away in New Delhi

New Delhi, January 29:

Former Defence Minister and Anti-Emergency Crusader George Fernandes passed away in New Delhi Tuesday morning. He was 88. Fernandes, who hailed from Mangaluru in Karnataka was ailing for a long time. One of the most prominent leaders of the socialist movement in the 1970s, George Fernandes was a senior Janata Dal leader before he founded the Samata Party. He was elected to the Lok Sabha 9 times and once to the Rajya Sabha.

He also served as Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Industry. George Fernandes  was also a trade unionist, agriculturist, and journalist. As President of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation he led the Railway strike involving 1.5 million workers in 1974, resulting in thousands being sent to jail. It was one of the events that led to the imposition of the Emergency in June 1975. The last rites of George Fernandes will be performed tomorrow, after his son arrives from abroad.

President Ram Nath Kovind has expressed grief on the passing away of George Fernandes. Kovind said,  George Fernandes served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister and he epitomised simple living and high thinking. The President said,  George Fernandes was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness on the passing away of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. Modi said, George Sahab represented the best of India’s political leadership. He said, frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, George Fernandes made a valuable contribution to the country and he was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Modi said, during his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology and he resisted the emergency tooth and nail.

Leaders cutting across party lines have mourned his death.