Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, the fifth President of India

 

 Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, the fifth President of India

Early Life and Education: 

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (13 May 1905 - 11 February 1977) was born on May 13, 1905, in Hauz Qazi in  Delhi, India. He was born into a prominent family and was the son of a leading lawyer, Col. Zalnur Ali Ahmed. His mother was Sahibzadi Ruqaiyya Sultan, daughter of the Nawab of Loharu. Ahmed went to the Government school in Gonda of United Provinces. Later,  he  attended St. Stephen's College in Delhi and then went to the St. Catherine’s College in the University of Cambridge in England, where he earned his history tripos in 1927. In the following year he was called to the Bar from Inner Temple, London and returned to India. Then he started practicing law in Lahore High Court. Later in 1930, he moved to Guwahati, Assam and became junior practicing lawyer under Nabin Chandra Bardoloi.  However, he became the Advocate General of Assam in 1946 and designated as the first founder president of the Bar Council of Assam High Court after its formation in 1948.

Political Life: 

Ahmed's political career began in the 1930s when he joined the Indian National Congress. He was a close associate of Jawaharlal Nehru and played an active role in the freedom struggle. After India gained independence in 1947, Ahmed served as a member of the Constituent Assembly  and was also elected to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) in 1952.

Ahmed served in various capacities in the government, including as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Education,  Minister of Industrial Development,Minister of  power and irrigation . He also served as the Governor of Assam and Manipur before he was elected as the President of India in 1974.

Controversial Actions:

 Ahmed's presidency was marred by controversy when he declared a state of emergency in 1975 on the advice of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This controversial decision led to widespread protests and was widely criticized by civil rights activists and opposition parties. Ahmed's role in the declaration of the emergency remains a topic of debate to this day.

Last Days and Legacy:

 Ahmed passed away on February 11, 1977, while he was still serving as the President of India. He was the second Indian President to die in office after Dr. Zakir Hussain. Despite the controversy surrounding his presidency, Ahmed is remembered for upholding the values of democracy and the Constitution. He was a staunch advocate of social justice and worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of the marginalized communities in India.

Conclusion:

 In conclusion, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's life is a testament to his unwavering commitment to public service and leadership. As a prominent member of the Indian National Congress, he played an active role in the freedom struggle and served in various capacities in the government, including as the President of India. Despite controversy surrounding his presidency, Ahmed is remembered for upholding the values of democracy and the Constitution, and for his advocacy of social justice and the welfare of marginalized communities in India. His contributions to India's political history continue to inspire and influence generations.