The Office of the Vice President: A Historical Tapestry

Since 1952, India's Vice Presidents have played key roles in politics and governance. This overview highlights their legacy, ending with the newly elected C. P. Radhakrishnan.

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The office of the vice presidency with the high-stakes drama of national politics.

PART II: THE STABILIZING FORCE (1969-1987)

The political tumult of the late 1960s and 1970s saw the vice presidency filled by seasoned jurists and administrators who acted as a stabilizing force during periods of national crisis.

Gopal Swarup Pathak (1969-1974): A former judge of the Allahabad High Court and a distinguished legal scholar, Pathak's tenure brought a sense of legal and constitutional propriety to the office. He was the first vice president who did not go on to become president, a trend that would become more common in the decades to follow. His calm and measured approach as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha helped navigate the turbulent political waters of the Indira Gandhi era.

B. D. Jatti (1974-1979): A former Chief Minister of Mysore and Governor of Orissa, Jatti's tenure coincided with one of India's most challenging periods—the Emergency (1975-1977). Following the death of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in 1977, he was sworn in as acting President. Jatti's decision to temporarily delay the dissolution of nine state assemblies by the Janata Party government in 1977 created a brief constitutional stir, though he eventually signed the order. He was a man of quiet conviction and deep religious faith.

Mohammad Hidayatullah (1979-1984): A renowned jurist and former Chief Justice of India, Hidayatullah holds the unique distinction of having served as acting President (in 1969), Vice President, and Chief Justice. His legal acumen was a valuable asset, and he brought immense dignity to the office. As the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, his rulings were widely respected for their constitutional soundness and impartiality. His presence in the upper house was a constant reminder of the rule of law.