K. R. Narayanan: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}

| image = Sh.President KocherilClinton Ramanwith NarayananIndian officialpresident K. R. Narayanan portrait(cropped).jpg

| birth_date = {{birth date|19211920|0210|0327|df=y}}

| alma_mater = {{Unbulleted_list|[[University of Kerala]]<br />([[B.A.Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[M.A.Master of Arts|MA]])|[[London School of Economics]]<br />([[Bachelor of Science|B.ScBSc]])}}

| children = 2 (including [[Chitra Narayanan]])

| caption = OfficialK. portrait,R. 2000Narayanan

{{Indian name|Narayanan|Kocheril Raman}}'''Kocheril Raman Narayanan''' {{audio|Krn.ogg|listen}} (427 FebruaryOctober 19211920 – 9 November 2005)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Burns|first=John F.|date=1997-07-26|title=Lowest-Caste Hindu Takes Office as India's President|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/26/world/lowest-caste-hindu-takes-office-as-india-s-president.html|access-date=2020-09-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kocheril Raman Narayanan {{!}} president of India|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kocheril-Raman-Narayanan|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> was an Indian statesman, diplomat, academic, and politician who served as the ninth [[vice president of India]] from 1992 to 1997 and tenth [[president of India]] from 1997 to 2002.

BornNarayanan was born in Perumthanam, [[Uzhavoor]] village, in the [[princely state]] of [[Travancore]] (present day [[Kottayam district]], [[Kerala]]), andas aftera member of the [[Dalit]] community. After a brief stint with journalism and then studying political sciencestudies at the [[London School of Economics]] with the assistance of a scholarship, Narayanan began his career in India as a member of the [[Indian Foreign Service]] in the [[Jawaharlal Nehru|Nehru administration]]. He served as ambassador to Japan,a thenumber Unitedof Kingdomcountries, Thailand,most Turkey,principally China andto the United States and China, and was referred by Nehru as "the best diplomat of the country".<ref>Manmohan Singh: [http://pmindia.nic.in/prelease/pcontent.asp?id=351 Condolence message] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225043/http://pmindia.nic.in/prelease/pcontent.asp?id=351 |date=27 September 2007 }}. Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> He entered politics at [[Indira Gandhi]]'s request and won three successive general elections to the [[Lok Sabha]] and served as a [[Minister of State]] in Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]]'s cabinet. Elected as vice president in 1992, Narayanan went on to become president in 1997. Heand wasbecame the first person from the [[Dalit]] community to holdoccupy either postposition.

Narayanan is regarded as an independent and assertive president who set several precedents and enlarged the scope of India's highest constitutional office. He described himself as a "working president" who worked "within the four corners of the Constitution"; something midway between an "executive president" who has direct power and a "rubber-stamp president" who endorses government decisions without question or deliberation.<ref name="ram_int">{{cite news |title=Shri K. R. Narayanan, President of India, in Conversation with N. Ram on Doordarshan and All India Radio |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/nic/narayanankr.pdf |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051112190818/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/nic/narayanankr.pdf |archive-date=12 November 2005 |date=14 August 1998 |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref> He used his discretionary powers as a president and deviated from convention and precedent in many situations, including – but not limited to – the appointment of the Prime Minister in a [[hung Parliament]], in dismissing a [[state government]] and imposing [[President's rule]] there at the suggestion of the Union Cabinet, and during the [[Kargil conflict]]. He presided over the [[golden jubilee]] celebrations of [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]] and in the country's [[Indian general elections 1977-1999#1998|general election of 1998]], he became the first Indian president to vote when in office, setting another new precedent. As of 2023, he remains the last Indian to have been elected Presidentpresident, while serving as Vice President.

K. R. Narayanan was born at Perumthanam, [[Uzhavoor]], as the fourth of seven children of Kocheril Raman Vaidyar, a practitioner of the traditional Indian medical system of [[Ayurveda]], and Punnaththuraveettil Paappiyamma.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Damodaran |first=Ashok K. |date=30 June 1997 |title=K.R. Narayanan's sweet and dull personality make him politically most acceptable |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/profile/story/19970630-k-r-narayanan-sweet-and-dull-personality-make-him-politically-most-acceptable-830267-1997-06-29 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=27 October 2022 |title=രാഷ്ട്രപതി സ്ഥാനത്തെത്തിയ ആദ്യത്തെ മലയാളി മാത്രമായിരുന്നില്ല കെ.ആര്‍ നാരായണന്‍ |trans-title=K. R. Narayanan was not just the first Malayali President of India |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/in-depth/features/former-indian-president-kr-narayanan-biography-history-1.7993366 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |language=Malayalam}}</ref> His siblings were Vasudevan, Neelakandan, Gowri, Bhaskaran, Bhargavi and Bharathi. His family, belonging to the Paravan[[Paravar|Paravar caste]] (whose members are involved in fishery, boat-building, sea trade<ref>{{cite book |last1=Thurston |first1=Edgar |title=Castes and Tribes of South India |chapter=ParavanParavar |chapter-url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Paravan |website=wikisource}}</ref>), was poor, but his father was respected for his medical acumen.

Narayanan had his early [[education in India|schooling]] in Uzhavoor at the Government Lower Primary School, Kurichithanam (where he enrolled on 5 May 1927) and Our Lady of Lourdes Upper Primary School, Uzhavoor (1931–35).<ref name=":1" /> He walked to school for about 15&nbsp; kilometres daily through [[paddy field]]s, and was often unable to pay the modest fees. He often listened to school lessons while standing outside the classroom, having been barred from attending because tuition fees were outstanding. The family lacked money to buy books and his elder brother K. R. Neelakantan, who was confined to home as he was suffering from [[asthma]], used to borrow books from other students, copy them down, and give them to Narayanan. He matriculated from St. Mary's High School, [[Kuravilangad]] (1936–37) (he had studied at St. John's High School, [[Koothattukulam]] (1935–36) previously). He completed his intermediate at [[C. M. S. College]], Kottayam (1938–40), aided by a scholarship from the [[Travancore royal family|Travancore Royal family]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kurian |first=N. J. |date=17 December 2005 |title=K R Narayanan: Making of a President |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4417548 |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=40 |issue=51 |pages=5386–5387 |jstor=4417548 |access-date=16 April 2024 |via=[[JSTOR]]}}</ref>

Narayanan obtained his [[Bachelor of Arts|B. A.]] (Honors) and [[Master of Arts|M.A.]] in [[English literature]] from the University of [[Travancore]] (1940–43) (present day [[University of Kerala]]), standing first in the university (thus becoming the first Dalit to obtain this degree with first class in Travancore).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Radhakrishnan |first=M. G. |date=21 November 2005 |title=KR Narayanan: An inspirational man and first Dalit President of India |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/obituary/story/20051121-kr-narayanan-an-inspirational-man-and-first-dalit-president-of-india-786568-2005-11-20 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref> With his family facing grave difficulties, he left for [[Delhi]] and worked for some time as a [[Malayalam journalism|journalist]] with ''[[The Hindu]]'' and ''[[The Times of India]]'' (1944–45).<ref name=":0" /> During this time, he once interviewed [[Mahatma Gandhi]]<ref>K. R. Narayanan's interview with M. K. Gandhi, 10 April 1945; given in full in H. Y. Sharada Prasad: [http://www.iht.com/getina/files/271049.html "How an interview with Gandhi was spiked"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060223030540/http://www.iht.com/getina/files/271049.html |date=23 February 2006 }}, ''The Asian Age'', n.d. Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> in [[Bombay]] on his own volition (10 April 1945).

In 1944, Narayanan was awarded a Tata Scholarship of Rs. 16,000 by [[J. R. D. Tata]] to read politics, economics and journalism at the [[London School of Economics]]<ref>{{cite journal |date=June 1944 |title=Science Notes and News |url=https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Downloads/article_id_013_06_0167_0169_0.pdf |journal=Current Science |volume=13 |issue=6 |pages=168 |access-date=23 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623235214/https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Downloads/article_id_013_06_0167_0169_0.pdf |archive-date=23 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was awarded [[Bachelor of Science]] [[honours degree|honors]] in [[Economics]] with specialisation in political science from [[University of London|the University of London]].<ref>Some of his experiences as a Tata fellow are recounted here [http://www.tata.com/0_about_us/history/lasting_legacies/20040811_k_narayanan.htm]. . Retrieved 24 February 2006. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630223824/http://www.tata.com/0_about_us/history/lasting_legacies/20040811_k_narayanan.htm|date=30 June 2008}}</ref> At the LSE (1945), he studied [[political science]] under [[Harold Laski]];<ref>LSE counts K. R. Narayanan among its [http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEIndia/pastAndPresent.htm distinguished alumni] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203125621/http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEIndia/pastAndPresent.htm |date=3 February 2009 }}; his [http://www.lse.edu/collections/pressAndInformationOffice/newsAndEvents/archives/2000-2002/pressrelease-india.htm portrait] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203125621/http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEIndia/pastAndPresent.htm |date=3 February 2009 }} has been unveiled and placed in a position of honour; B. R. Ambedkar is the only other Indian to have been similarly honoured. . Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> he also attended lectures by [[Karl Popper]], [[Lionel Robbins]], and [[Friedrich Hayek]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gandhi |first=Gopalkrishna |author-link=Gopalkrishna Gandhi |date=2 December 2005 |title=A remarkable life-story |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/obituary/article30207509.ece |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Frontline}}</ref> During his years in London, he (along with fellow student [[K. N. Raj]]) was active in the India League under [[V. K. Krishna Menon]]. He was also the London correspondent of the ''Social Welfare Weekly'' published by [[K. M. Munshi]]. At the LSE he shared lodgings with K. N. Raj and [[Veerasamy Ringadoo]] (who later became the first president of Mauritius); another close friend was [[Pierre Trudeau]] (who later became [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime minister of Canada]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rana |first=Kishan S. |url=https://www.diplomacy.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Diplomacy-at-the-cutting-edge.pdf |title=Diplomacy at the cutting edge |publisher=Manas Publications |year=2016 |isbn=9788170495116 |location=New Delhi |pages=311 |chapter=Paradise Island: Mauritius (1989-92) |access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2021 |title=From the Archives (January 12, 1971): Trudeau garlands P.M. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/archives/from-the-archives-january-12-1971-trudeau-garlands-pm/article33549316.ece |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

When Narayanan returned to India in 1948, Laski gave him a letter of introduction to Prime ministerMinister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]. Years later, he narrated<ref>Gopalkrishna Gandhi: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090830200245/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20051202005812900.htm&date=fl2224%2F&prd=fline& "A remarkable life-story"]}}, ''Frontline'' '''22''' (24), 5–18 November 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> how he began his career in the public service:<blockquote>When I finished with LSE, Laski, of his own, gave me a letter of introduction for Panditji. On reaching Delhi I sought an appointment with the PM. I suppose, because I was an Indian student returning home from London, I was given a time-slot. It was here in Parliament House that he met me. We talked for a few minutes about London and things like that and I could soon see that it was time for me to leave. So I said goodbye and as I left the room I handed over the letter from Laski, and stepped out into the great circular corridor outside. When I was half way round, I heard the sound of someone clapping from the direction I had just come. I turned to see Panditji [Nehru] beckoning me to come back. He had opened the letter as I left his room and read it. [Nehru asked:] "Why didn't you give this to me earlier?" [and KRN replied:] "Well, sir, I am sorry. I thought it would be enough if I just handed it over while leaving." After a few more questions, he asked me to see him again and very soon I found myself entering the Indian Foreign Service.</blockquote>

*Second Secretary, Indian Liaison Mission in Tokyo (appointed 19 August 1951)<ref>{{cite news |last=Narayanan |first=M. K. |date=8 September 1951 |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |pageurl=272 https://egazette.gov.in/(S(d0omcrj5nt4lwjrnmxe4ohrl))/ViewPDF.aspx |access-date=816 SeptemberApril 19512022 |publisherwork=The Gazette of India |publisher=[[Department of Publication]] |page=272}}</ref>

*Appointment in the IFS confirmed (29 July 1953)<ref>{{cite news |last=Ahuja |first=V. K. |date=3 October 1953 |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |pageurl=344 https://egazette.gov.in/(S(d0omcrj5nt4lwjrnmxe4ohrl))/ViewPDF.aspx |access-date=316 OctoberApril 19532024 |publisherwork=The Gazette of India |publisher=[[Department of Publication]] |page=344}}</ref>

*First Secretary, High Commission of India to the United Kingdom (relinquished 17 December 1957)<ref>{{cite news |last=Rasgotra |first=M. |author-link=Maharaja Krishna Rasgotra |date=11 January 1958 |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |pageurl=17 https://egazette.gov.in/(S(d0omcrj5nt4lwjrnmxe4ohrl))/ViewPDF.aspx |access-date=1116 JanuaryApril 19582024 |publisherwork=The Gazette of India |publisher=[[Department of Publication]] |page=17}}</ref>

*Deputy Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (relinquished 11 July 1960)<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Natwar |author-link=Natwar Singh |date=23 July 1960 |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |pageurl=447 https://egazette.gov.in/(S(d0omcrj5nt4lwjrnmxe4ohrl))/ViewPDF.aspx |access-date=2316 JulyApril 19602024 |publisherwork=The Gazette of India |publisher=[[Department of Publication]] |page=447}}</ref>

*First Secretary, High Commission of India to Australia, including period as Acting High Commissioner of India, Canberra (relinquished 27 September 1961)<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=K. D. |date=21 October 1961 |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |pageurl=661 https://egazette.gov.in/(S(d0omcrj5nt4lwjrnmxe4ohrl))/ViewPDF.aspx |access-date=2116 OctoberApril 19612024 |publisherwork=The Gazette of India |publisher=[[Department of Publication]] |page=661}}</ref>

*Consul-General of India (Hanoi), [[North Vietnam]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Sinai |first=P. L. |date=19 January 1963 |title=Part I-Section 2: Ministry of External Affairs |pageurl=48 https://egazette.gov.in/(S(d0omcrj5nt4lwjrnmxe4ohrl))/ViewPDF.aspx |access-date=1916 JanuaryApril 19632024 |publisherwork=The Gazette of India |publisher=[[Department of Publication]] |page=48}}</ref>

*Ambassador to the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (appointed 1 May 1976)<ref name="amb_PRC"/><ref>''[https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015020142553?urlappend=%3Bseq=990%3Bownerid=13510798896014451-1042 The Times of India directory and yearbook including who's who]''. Bombay: The Times of India Press. 1976. p. 782.</ref>

During his diplomatic career, Narayanan also taught at the [[Delhi School of Economics]] (DSE) (1954), and was Jawaharlal Nehru fellow (1970–72). He retired from the IFS in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raja |first=D. |date=27 October 2020 |title=K R Narayanan and his relevance for our times |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2020/Oct/27/k-r-narayanan-and-his-relevance-for-our-times-2215446.html |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>

of question on his relationship with the Left front in {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071126123748/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005030308811100.htm&date=2005%2F03%2F03%2F&prd=th& "Narayanan criticises Vajpayee for Gujarat riots"]}}, ''The Hindu'', 10 November 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> Subsequently, he was recalled from retirement to serve as [[Indian Ambassador to the United States]] from 1980–84, under the [[Indira Gandhi]] administration.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015019997702?urlappend=%3Bseq=1227%3Bownerid=13510798896917782-1281 |title=The Times of India directory and year book including who's who |date=1983 |publisher=The Times of India Press |location=Bombay |pages=917 |hdl=2027/mdp.39015019997702?urlappend=%3Bseq=1227 |access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref> Narayanan's tenures as Indian ambassador to China, the first such high level Indian diplomatic posting in that country after the 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]], and to the USA where he helped arrange Ms. Gandhi's landmark 1982 visit to [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] during the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan presidency]] helped mend India's strained relations with both these countries.<ref>His [http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010508171719 speech] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630093120/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010508171719 |date=30 June 2006 }} at Peking University while on a state visit, briefly describes his vision of relations between India and China. (Retrieved 24 February 2006.) Narayanan spoke Chinese, and had a scholarly knowledge of Chinese culture and history, particularly the cultural exchanges between the two countries. His visit as President eased tensions that had developed with China after the [[Pokhran]] nuclear tests.</ref><ref>His [http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=D33180 banquet speech] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630093102/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=D33180 |date=30 June 2006 }} welcoming Bill Clinton to Rashtrapati Bhavan briefly describes his vision of relations between India and the USA. . Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> Nehru, who had also been the Minister for External Affairs during his 16 years as PM, held that K. R. Narayanan was "the best diplomat of the country."(1955)

Narayanan entered politics at the request of [[Indira Gandhi]] and won three successive general elections to the [[Lok Sabha]] in [[Indian general elections 1977-1999#1984|1984]], [[Indian general elections 1977-1999#1989|1989]] and [[Indian general elections 1977-1999#1991|1991]], as a representative of the [[Ottapalam]] constituency in [[Palakkad]], Kerala, on a [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] ticket.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 April 1993 |title=Ottapalam: Cong still looking for a candidate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3YVlAAAAIBAJ&dq=k+r+narayanan+indian+express&pg=PA13 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 June 2017 |title=K R Narayanan to Ram Nath Kovind, a tale of two dalit presidents |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/k-r-narayanan-to-ram-nath-kovind-a-tale-of-two-dalit-presidents/articleshow/59235831.cms?from=mdr |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |via=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]}}</ref> He was a [[Minister of State]] in the Union cabinet under [[Rajiv Gandhi]], holding the portfolios of Planning (1985), External Affairs (1985–86), and Science and Technology (1986–89).<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 August 1986 |title=Parliament stifles official report on Mrs. Gandhi's death |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UapWAAAAIBAJ&dq=k+r+narayanan+external+affairs&pg=PA14&article_id=5507,5032173 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 January 1995 |title=Rajiv Gandhi, New Cabinet Sworn In |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LAckAAAAIBAJ&dq=k+r+narayanan+external+affairs&pg=PA2 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Ocala Star-Banner}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 December 1988 |title=India's quest for re-usable space launch vehicles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W4hlAAAAIBAJ&q=india%27s+quest+for+re-usable+space+launch+vehicles&pg=PA10 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=[[Indian Express]]}}</ref> As a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], he resisted international pressure to tighten patent controls in India. He sat in the opposition benches when the Congress was voted out of power during 1989–91. Narayanan was not included in the cabinet when the Congress returned to power in 1991. [[K. Karunakaran]], Congress [[Chief Minister of Kerala]], a political adversary of his,<ref name="ptt_int" /> informed him that he was not made a minister because of him being a "Communist [[Fellow traveller|fellow-traveller]]<ref name="ptt_int" />". He did not, however, respond when Narayanan pointed out that he had defeated Communist candidates<ref name="ptt_int" /> ([[A. K. Balan]] and [[Lenin Rajendran]], the latter twice) in all three elections.<ref name=ptt_int />

== Vice Presidency (1992 - 19971992–1997) ==

K. R. Narayanan was elected as the [[Vice-President of India|vice-president of India]] on 21 August 1992, under the presidency of [[Shankar Dayal Sharma]]. His name had been proposed initially by [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh|V. P. Singh]], former Primeprime Ministerminister and the then leader of the [[Janata Dal]] parliamentary party.<ref>{{Cite news |title=V P Singh roots for Narayanan to be made President |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/mar/28naraya.htm |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Rediff}}</ref> The [[Janata Dal]] and the parliamentary left parties had jointly declared him as their candidate, and this had later garnered support from the Congress under [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]], leading to a [[unanimous]] decision on his election.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.abhilekh-patal.in/jspui/handle/123456789/3855095 |title=Swearing-in ceremony for the Vice-President-elect (Sh. K.R. Narayanan) |publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs]] |year=1992 |location=New Delhi |pages=37, 102 |access-date=16 April 2024 |via=[[National Archives of India]]}}</ref> On his relationship with the Left front, Narayanan later clarified<ref name="ptt_int" /> that he was neither a devotee nor a blind opponent of Communism; they had known of his ideological differences, but had supported him as vice-president (and later as president) because of special political circumstances that prevailed in the country. He had benefited from their support, and in turn, their political positions had gained acceptability. When the [[Babri Masjid]] was demolished on 6 December 1992, he described the event as the "greatest tragedy India has faced since [[Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi|the assassination of]] [[Mahatma Gandhi]]".<ref name="ram_int" />

== Presidency (1997 - 20021997–2002) ==

President K. R. Narayanan's address to the nation<ref name=rep>K. R. Narayanan: [http://www.indiatogether.org/opinions/speeches/krn2000.htm Address to the nation on the golden jubilee of the Republic], 26 January 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324080606/http://www.indiatogether.org/opinions/speeches/krn2000.htm |date=24 March 2015 }}</ref> on the golden jubilee of the Indian Republic (26 January 2000) is considered a landmark:<ref name=venkat>V. Venkatesan: [http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1703/17030280.htm "A wake-up call"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050218180907/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1703/17030280.htm |date=18 February 2005 }}, ''Frontline'' '''17''' (3), 5–18 February 2000. Retrieved 17 March 2006.</ref> it was the first time<ref name=joseph>Ammu Joseph: [http://www.humanscape.org/Humanscape/2000/April/hs40012t.htm "Areas of darkness"], ''Humanscape'', April 2000 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703151439/http://www.humanscape.org/Humanscape/2000/April/hs40012t.htm |date=3 July 2010 }}</ref> a president attempted to analyse, with due concern for growing disparities, the several ways in which the country had failed<ref name=sainath>P. Sainath: [http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1703/17030290.htm "Iron in the soul, decay in the brain"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051013063948/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1703/17030290.htm |date=13 October 2005 }}, ''Frontline'' '''17''' (3), 5–18 February 2000. Retrieved 17 March 2006.</ref> to provide economic justice to the Indian people, particularly the rural and agrarian population; he also stated that discontent was breeding and frustrations erupting in violence among the deprived sections of society. In his address to Parliament<ref>K. R. Narayanan: [http://www.india-seminar.com/2000/487/487%20narayanan.htm Address to parliament on the golden jubilee of the Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050923024103/http://www.india-seminar.com/2000/487/487%20narayanan.htm |date=23 September 2005 }}, 26 January 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> later that day, he praised the work of [[B. R. Ambedkar]] on the [[Constitution of India|Indian constitution]] and cautioned against attempts to change its basic structure, concurring with Ambedkar's preference for accountability and responsibility over the stability of the government. He reiterated this in stronger terms in his next Republic day address (2001);<ref name=rep_2001>K. R. Narayanan: [http://meaindia.nic.in/speech/2001/01/25spc01.htm Address on Republic day], 26 January 2001. Retrieved 24 February 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410180833/http://meaindia.nic.in/speech/2001/01/25spc01.htm |date=10 April 2009 }}</ref> on this occasion, he took exception to certain proposals seeking to abridge the franchise, and pointed out the wisdom of reposing faith in the common men and women of India as a whole, rather than in some elite section of society.

;Appointment of the Primeprime minister and dissolution of Parliament

One of the coalition partners supporting the minority government (the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] under [[J. Jayalalithaa]]) wrote a letter to the President withdrawing support on 14 April 1999, and Narayanan advised Vajpayee to seek a [[vote of confidence]] in the Lok Sabha. This motion was defeated (17 April). Both Vajpayee and the [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|Leader of the Opposition]], Congress president [[Sonia Gandhi]], then staked claims to form the government. Narayanan asked the NDA and the Congress party to show proof of support since the loss of the confidence vote. When evidence from neither party was forthcoming, Narayanan informed the Prime ministerMinister that fresh elections seemed to be the only way to resolve the crisis in governance. The Lok Sabha was then dissolved at Vajpayee's advice<ref>K. R. Narayanan: {{cite web|url=http://alfa.nic.in/rb/pr119.htm |title=Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the dissolution of the twelfth Lok Sabha |access-date=2017-04-03 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010220235512/http://alfa.nic.in/rb/pr119.htm |archive-date=20 February 2001 }}, 26 April 1999. Archived Feb. 2001.</ref> (26 April). (In the ensuing general elections, the NDA secured a majority and Vajpayee was reappointed Prime ministerMinister<ref>K. R. Narayanan: {{cite web|url=http://alfa.nic.in/rb/pr160.htm |title=Rashtrapati Bhavan communique concerning the appointment of the Prime minister |access-date=2017-04-03 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001012185035/http://alfa.nic.in/rb/pr160.htm |archive-date=12 October 2000 }}, 11 October 1999. Archived Oct. 2000</ref> (11 October 1999) in a straightforward manner.)

President Narayanan returned for reconsideration the advices from the Union cabinet to impose [[President's rule]] in a state, in accordance with Article 356, in two instances: one from the Gujral government (22 October 1997) seeking to dismiss the [[Kalyan Singh]] government in [[Uttar Pradesh]],<ref>Venkitesh Ramakrishnan, Praveen Swami: [http://www.flonnet.com/fl1422/14220040.htm "A crisis defused"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216190120/http://www.flonnet.com/fl1422/14220040.htm |date=16 December 2004 }}, ''Frontline'' '''14''' (22), 1–14 November 1997. Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> and the other from the Vajpayee government (25 September 1998) seeking to dismiss the [[Rabri Devi]] government in [[Bihar]].<ref>[[Praveen Swami]], Sudha Mahalingam: [http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1521/15210040.htm "The BJP's Bihar fiasco"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106231520/http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1521/15210040.htm |date=6 November 2012 }}, ''Frontline'' '''15''' (21), 10–23 October 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.</ref> In both instances, he cited the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme court]] judgement of 1994 on ''[[S. R. Bommai vs. Union of India]]'' and exercised his discretion by, in the former case, returning the matter for reconsideration of the cabinet, which then decided not to move ahead in the matter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=Venkitesh |date=2 December 2005 |title=Citizen President |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/obituary/article30207488.ece |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Frontline}}</ref> However, in the latter case, the cabinet re-advised the same to the president after couple of months, It was then the President's rule was imposed in Bihar in February, 1999.

The Foundation General Secretary Eby J. Jose has written a biography of the late president titled ''K. R. Narayanan Bharathathinte Suryathejassu''. It is written in [[Malayalam]], the mother tongue of K. R. Narayanan. This book traces the not-so-rosy life of the first Dalit president of India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KR Narayanan Biography|url=http://krnarayananfoundation.com/KRNarayananBiography.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810201154/http://krnarayananfoundation.com/KRNarayananBiography.htm|archive-date=2009-08-10|website=krnarayananfoundation.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Eby J. Jose|url=http://www.ebyjjose.com/|website=ebyjjose.com|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=27 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227202158/http://ebyjjose.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010616202047 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013534/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010616202047 |date=19 April 2012 }} while dedicating the [[J. R. D. Tata]] ecotechnology centre; 29 July 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010616202026 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013543/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010616202026 |date=19 April 2012 }} while unveiling the statue of [[Vallabhbhai Patel]]; 14 August 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010614191946 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013549/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010614191946 |date=19 April 2012 }} on the occasion of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] Mahotsav at [[Sarnath]]; 5 November 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010612202048 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063153/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010612202048 |date=4 March 2016 }} while inaugurating the first International congress on [[agronomy]], environment, and food security for the 21st century; 23 November 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010612191939 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013638/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010612191939 |date=19 April 2012 }} on Judicial reforms; 5 December 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010608181843 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013649/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010608181843 |date=19 April 2012 }} on the birth centenary of [[Field Marshal (India)|Field Marshal]] [[K. M. Cariappa]]; 5 June 1999. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010608181801 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013743/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010608181801 |date=19 April 2012 }} at the All India [[Urdu]] editors conference; 29 July 1999. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=D14584 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064735/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=D14584 |date=4 March 2016 }} while accepting credentials from the [[Vatican City|Vatican]] Nuncio to India; 30 August 1999. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010606202059 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419013808/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010606202059 |date=19 April 2012 }} on the golden jubilee of [[Hindi]] as the official language of India; 14 September 1999. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010526202014 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061522/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010526202014 |date=4 March 2016 }} while unveiling the bust of [[Rajendra Prasad]]; 3 December 1999. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=D33180 Banquet speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630093102/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=D33180 |date=30 June 2006 }} on the visit of [[Bill Clinton]]; 21 March 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010508171719 Address] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630093120/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010508171719 |date=30 June 2006 }} at [[Peking University]]; 30 May 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010413141443 Banquet speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419014017/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010413141443 |date=19 April 2012 }} on the visit of [[Vladimir Putin]]; 3 October 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://www.indiatogether.org/opinions/speeches/krn2000.htm Address on the golden jubilee of the Indian Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324080606/http://www.indiatogether.org/opinions/speeches/krn2000.htm |date=24 March 2015 }}; 26 January 2000. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=020725151520 Farewell address to the nation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630093129/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=020725151520 |date=30 June 2006 }}; 24 July 2002. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*Interview of February 2005 in which K. R. Narayanan accused the A. B. Vajpayee Government of complicity in the [[2002 Gujarat riots]]; by [[P. T. Thomas]], Congress legislator from [[Thodupuzha]] in the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]], and Editor, ''Maanavasamskruthi''. ["Interview with K. R. Narayanan", ''Maanavasamskruthi'' '''1''' (8), February 2005, in [[Malayalam]]. English translation of part of the interview, at CHRO web page: [http://www.nuke.humanrightskerala.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5090 Part I] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003749/http://www.nuke.humanrightskerala.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5090 |date=28 September 2007 }}; [http://www.nuke.humanrightskerala.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5097 Part II] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012023123/http://www.nuke.humanrightskerala.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5097 |date=12 October 2008 }}. Additional translation of question on his relationship with the Left front in {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071127164835/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/03/03/stories/2005030308811100.htm "Narayanan criticises Vajpayee for Gujarat riots"]}}, ''The Hindu'', 10 November 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.]

*[http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010618202022 Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630093052/http://pib.myiris.com/speech/article.php3?fl=010618202022 |date=30 June 2006 }} while inaugurating the new complex of the Kerala Legislature; 22 May 1998. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://www.cmscoll.com C. M. S. College, Kottayam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517090757/http://cmscoll.com/ |date=17 May 2014 }}. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://www.tata.com/0_about_us/history/lasting_legacies/20040811_k_narayanan.htm J. N. Tata Scholarship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630223824/http://www.tata.com/0_about_us/history/lasting_legacies/20040811_k_narayanan.htm |date=30 June 2008 }}. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*[http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEIndia/pastAndPresent.htm London School of Economics]; [http://www.lse.edu/collections/pressAndInformationOffice/newsAndEvents/archives/2000-2002/pressrelease-india.htm K. R. Narayanan's portrait unveiled at LSE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203125621/http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEIndia/pastAndPresent.htm |date=3 February 2009 }}. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*Prime minister I. K. Gujral's [http://www.india50.com/speecH1.html address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red fort on the golden jubilee of Indian independence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051016061945/http://www.india50.com/speecH1.html |date=16 October 2005 }}; 15 August 1997. Retrieved 24 February 2006.

*Ajay Singh: [http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/97/1114/is1.html "MAN OF HIS TIME"],''Asiaweek'',14 November 1997. Retrieved 18 March 2006.

*Siriyavan Anand: [http://www.himalmag.com/2002/july/opinion.htm "Caste, religion, and the Indian Presidency"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175418/http://www.himalmag.com/2002/july/opinion.htm |date=27 September 2007 }}, ''Himal'', July 2002. Retrieved 24 February 2006.