Former NLA speaker mourns demise of Jethmalani

Dimapur, Sep. 9 (EMN): Former speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Thenucho Tunyi has expressed sadness over the demise of eminent Supreme Court lawyer, former Law and Justice Minister and member of Rajya Sabha, Ram Jethmalani on September 8, stating that it’s a great loss to the people of the nation. “My association with Ram began during my student days at Government Law College, Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1977, when he was invited to speak during one of India’s most difficult political upheavals. It was a chaotic time in Indian politics with the imposition of Emergency in the country and he stood out because of his firm beliefs in the democratic principles and civil liberties of the country,” read the condolence message from Tunyi. “I was highly impressed by not only his ethical conduct to his profession and conviction to Justice but also the concern that he had for the common people of India. A ‘Maverick’ in the true sense, Ram was vibrant, dynamic and one of the most outstandingly courageous man I ever knew,” it said, adding that he never shied away from confrontations and expressing his feelings. Tunyi stated that he had learnt much from him during their 42 years of friendship and expressed gratefulness for being associated with him. He went on say that Jethmalani was more than a friend and is “immensely indebted to him for all that he did for me and my family.” “Throughout his life he defended the interest of the minorities and the downtrodden. He was a sensible man, unorthodox in his ways, fiercely independent and had a sharp tongue. Ram was articulate and he spoke his mind whether it was in the Courtroom or on the dais of the Parliament. He was a true ‘Son of the Soil’- a product of vibrant democratic independent India,” read the message. He said that India has lost not only a noble soul but also a true pioneer of the Justice system and prayed that his soul rest in peace.