K Parasaran - 'Pitamaha' of India Bar, emerges hero in Ayodhya case

Legal luminary and two-time Attorney General of India K Parasaran was le counsel for Hindu parties in temple-mosque land dispute in Ayodhya and he successfully argued for possession of entire disputed land in Supreme Court in favour of deity "Ram Lalla Virajman".

During hearing, 92-year-old senior lawyer h told apex court that it must do "full and complete justice" in all matters before it and that his last wish before he died was to finish case. Sitting in front row, he listened to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi prouncing historical verdict. As soon as verdict was over, lawyers from Hindu side surrounded him and congratulated but nnarian jurist held back his emotions.

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Minutes later, helped by his juniors, he emerged out of courtroom and allowed people to his photographs on ir mobile phones. An erudite Hindu scholar who often quoted from Hindu scriptures in his arguments, Parasaran was referred to as "Pitamaha" of India Bar by Supreme Court judge and former chief justice of Mras High Court Sanjay Kishan Kaul for his contribution to law without compromising with his ''dharma''. He h also appeared for Nair Service Society, in Sabarimala case, to defend ban on entry of menstruating women in temple. Parasaran also argued against eminent jurist Nani Palkhivala on crucial Constitution cases. He started practising in top court in 1958. During Emergency, he was vocate General of Tamil Nu and appointed as Solicitor General of India in 1980. He served as Attorney General of India from 1983 to 1989.

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In 1985, he h vised government as Solicitor General, against acting on show-cause tice issued to demolish Indian Express building as it was legally untenable. When Indira Gandhi government igred his opinion, he refused to defend government in court and offered to resign. Despite this, he was promoted as Attorney General by government.

"Senior Parasaran", as he is referred to in legal circles, h also come to rescue of Priyanka Gandhi in a family court at Tis Hazari in 1997. In case, a man, later found mentally unstable, h petitioned court, days before she was to get married to Robert Vra, claiming that Priyanka was alrey married to him. Former prime minister A B Vajpayee h also appointed him as member of drafting and editorial committee tasked with reviewing working of Constitution.

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Vajpayee-led NDA government awarded him Pma Bhushan and Manmohan Singh led UPA-1 government awarded him Pma Vibhushan and also minated him to Upper House. He h defended National Judicial Appointments Commission as a member of Rajya Sabha in 2014. senior counsel was also presented "Most Eminent Senior Citizen Award" by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu in October 16, 2019.

Born in Tamil Nu's Srirangam in 1927, Parasaran''s far Kesava Aiyengar was a lawyer and Vedic scholar who practised at Mras High Court and Supreme Court. Parasaran''s three sons, Mohan, Satish and Balaji, are also lawyers. Mohan Parasaran served as Solicitor General in UPA-II government and w fourth generation of Parasarans are also in legal profession.

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