Tributes are pouring in from all quarters as soon as the news of veteran lawyer and former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani demise came, on Sunday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Ram Jethmalani, saying that the country has lost an exceptional lawyer and an iconic figure who made rich contributions in courts and Parliament.
In a series of tweets, Modi shared his feelings on Jethmalani. Calling him “witty” and “courageous”, Modi said, that “the best aspect of Shri Ram Jethmalani ji was the ability to speak his mind… without any fear.”
In the passing away of Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji, India has lost an exceptional lawyer and iconic public figure who made rich contributions both in the Court and Parliament. He was witty, courageous and never shied away from boldly expressing himself on any subject. pic.twitter.com/8fItp9RyTk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2019
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also tweeted on “legal luminary” Jethmalani’s death.
Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shri Ram Jethmalani, former Union Minister, a legal luminary & one of the brilliant minds of Bharat. In his passing away the nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a great intellectual & a patriot, who was active till his last breath pic.twitter.com/Z0xCTm0R7q
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) September 8, 2019
“Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shri Ram Jethmalani … one of the brilliant minds of Bharat. In his passing away the nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a great intellectual & a patriot, who was active till his last breath,” the Vice President’s secretariat tweeted.
Jethmalani’s colleague from the legal fraternity, Attorney General K K Venugopal said, “His passing away is a great loss not only to the Bar in the country but also to Parliament and the country as a whole.”
Venugopal further said, “According to me, he was a lawyer, was larger than life handling the most sensational cases, especially criminal cases as I, therefore, told him once that he is a leader of the criminal Bar of the country. His retort was, ‘I am also the no. 1 constitutional lawyer’. This is because he was handling cases across the board.”
Tributes from the Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad read, ” His brilliance, eloquence, powerful advocacy and sound understanding of law will remain a worthy example in legal profession.
Deeply condole the passing away of the veteran lawyer and former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani. His brilliance, eloquence, powerful advocacy and sound understanding of law will remain a worthy example in legal profession. My profound condolences.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) September 8, 2019
Home Minister Amit Shah paid last respects to the noted jurist at his residence in New Delhi. He said that, “He will always be remembered for his vast knowledge on legal affairs.”
Ram Jethmalani ji’s passing away is a irreparable loss to the entire legal community. He will always be remembered for his vast knowledge on legal affairs. My condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2019
Congress leader and a noted lawyer himself, Kapil Sibal also paid his tributes to the eminent lawyer. Calling Jethmalani a “crusader in both law and politics, he stood steadfastly for the cause he took up.” In his tweet Sibal further said, “His knowledge in criminal law was matched by none.”
Ram Jethmalani is no more . A crusader in both law and politics he stood steadfastly for the causes he took up . His knowledge in criminal law was matched by none . He was also a bundle of affection . The nation has lost a great son . May his soul rest in peace.
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) September 8, 2019
Another Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “You have inspired many generations of lawyers and keep inspiring many more to come.”
Tributes to the doyen of criminal law and stalwart advocate #RamJethmalani.
You have inspired many generations of lawyers and keep inspiring many more to come. May your soul attains salvation.
ॐ शांति… pic.twitter.com/zmsqIuRJR2
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) September 8, 2019
Ram Jethmalani passed away at his residence in New Delhi at the age of 95 .
He served as law minister and as Minister of Urban Development in former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet. He was also the chairman of the Bar Council of India.
Jethmalani was born on September 14, 1923, in Shikarpur, Sindh in the Sindh division of the then Bombay Presidency, now part of Pakistan. He completed his LL.B at the age of 17 and started practising law in his hometown until the partition of India.