‘Great giant of an intellectual’: PM Modi, CJI Chandrachud mourn Fali S Nariman’s passing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was pained at Nariman’s death, terming the jurist one of the “most outstanding legal minds and intellectuals”.

Shri Fali Nariman Ji was among the most outstanding legal minds and intellectuals. He devoted his life to making justice accessible to common citizens. I am pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 21, 2024

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud began the day’s proceedings in the Supreme Court by condoling Nariman’s death. “Mr Attorney General, we mourn the sad demise and passing away of Fali Nariman. He was a great giant of an intellectual,” Chandrachud told Attorney General R Venkataramani, as per the news agency PTI.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told The Indian Express that the demise has left the legal fraternity intellectually poorer.

“Not only the legal fraternity, but the nation has lost a towering figure of intellect and wisdom. The country has lost the epitome of what righteousness stood for. A doyen, paragon, and a legend in his lifetime, he has left us the jurisprudence enriched by his immense contribution. I have always learnt something new by merely appearing even against him,” Mehta said.

“Sharing the homemade buttermilk brought by me from my home in the Supreme Court corridors while he regaled all of us with many past anecdotes in Gujarati is a cherished memory for me though he used to come only on a few occasions in the last few years. His loving gesture of sending all the books written by him to me with his autograph will always remain a proud possession for me and even for the next generations,” he said.

“The legal fraternity is intellectually poorer today. Such intellectual giants do not die. They remain immortal through their contribution. There cannot be and will not be another Fali Nariman,” Mehta added.

Former CJI N V Ramana, expressing sorrow at Nariamn’s passing, said, “Shri Nariman witnessed our nation’s many a trials and tribulations, both before and after independence and fought for upholding Constitutional values till his last breath. Series of his spirited interviews at such an advanced age in the very recent past stand testimony to his commitment for the Constitutional principles.”

“Never known for mincing words, Shri Fali S Nariman has been a conscience keeper for judicial institutions. Through his arguments in court rooms, widely read newspaper columns, public lectures, parliamentary interventions and televised interviews he has educated generations of legal professionals and the general public alike. Huge volume of his work will keep on guiding the generations to come. Shri Fali S Nariman will be remembered as an ethical giant,” Ramana added.

“I offer my sincere condolences to Brother Rohinton and family and to countless admirers and fans of Shri Fali S Nariman,” he said in a statement.

Former PM H D Deve Gowda requested the Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly and Chairman of the Legislative Council to ensure a condolence resolution in both Houses for the deceased jurist.

“Am very saddened and disturbed that my friend of 50 years, eminent jurist, Fali Nariman, has passed away. He was not just my friend, he was a great friend of Karnataka and a proud son of India. I offer my deepest condolences,” he said in a statement, adding, “His decades of service to Karnataka to safeguard its share of Cauvery water is unparalleled. We are indebted to him.”

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah recalled that Nariman had represented Karnataka in the Supreme Court for decades during the water disputes with neighbouring states.

“If the farmers of Karnataka got justice in the water sharing disputes of Krishna and Kaveri rivers, Nariman’s great contribution is there. He was a member of the bench of the Supreme Court. Karnataka was lucky to have someone like Nariman as a lawyer. Coming from a legal background, I had a special admiration for him,” Siddaramaiah said in a statement.

“I had a long association with Nariman who was a famous and talented lawyer of the country. No matter what the complicated problems related to irrigation were faced, his skill was unique in suggesting remedial measures without getting nervous. I gratefully remember that his advice in internal meetings and arguments in court have enriched my knowledge in the field of irrigation,” he said, adding, “Nariman Saab, Your memory will always be green in the minds of Kannadigas.”