KP
Jurist

K. Parasaran

Born 9 October 1927 · Tamil Nadu

Serving as Attorney General of India from 1983 to 1989 under Prime Ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.

Keshava Parasaran is a lawyer from India. He was Advocate General of Tamil Nadu during the president's rule in 1976, Solicitor General of India under the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and Attorney General of India under Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi between 1983 and 1989 until the end of Rajiv's tenure. Parasaran was awarded the Padma Bhushan in the year 2003 and Padma Vibhushan in the year 2011. In June 2012, he received a presidential nomination to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's parliament, for a period of six years.

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A detail that
surprised us

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K. Parasaran defended the ban on entry of menstruating women in Sabarimala by reciting the Ramayana to explain the deity Ayyappan's celibacy, blending scripture and law in court.

The Story

1
In 1976, during the volatile President's Rule in Tamil Nadu, K. Parasaran held the pivotal post of Advocate General, navigating legal turmoil in a politically unstable state with precision and resilience.
2
🌟 By 1980, Parasaran's legal mastery elevated him to Solicitor General of India under Indira Gandhi, a time when the country grappled with constitutional crises and the aftermath of the Emergency.
3🚀 Between 1983 and 1989, he served as Attorney General of India under both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, becoming the voice of the government in landmark cases that shaped India’s modern legal landscape.
4📜 In the intense Ayodhya land dispute, Parasaran staunchly defended Hindu parties, earning a reputation as a strategic legal mind who blended law with cultural narratives, later becoming a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1976, Parasaran was appointed Advocate General of Tamil Nadu during the challenging President's Rule period, a rare moment when the state was under direct federal control.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu
Keshava Parasaran was born to Kesava Iyengar and Shrimati Ranganayaki in the culturally rich district of Srirangam.
1927
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Education
Law Degree Completion
Parasaran completed his BL (Bachelor of Law) with top honors, earning medals in Sanskrit and Hindu Law.
1949
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Career
Supreme Court Legal Practice Begins
He started practicing law in the Supreme Court of India, marking the start of a six-decade-long legal career.
1958
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Career
Advocate General of Tamil Nadu
Appointed during President's Rule, Parasaran played a crucial role in legal matters of the state under direct federal governance.
1976
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Career
Became Solicitor General of India
Under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Parasaran took charge as Solicitor General, representing the government in critical legal battles.
1980
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Career
Appointed Attorney General of India
Parasaran served as the highest legal officer for Prime Ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi until 1989, influencing landmark constitutional cases.
1983
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
The President of India honored Parasaran for his outstanding contribution to Indian law and justice.
2003
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Award
Received Padma Vibhushan
Parasaran was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, recognizing his legal eminence.
2011
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Career
Nominated to Rajya Sabha
The President nominated Parasaran to the upper house of Parliament for six years, highlighting his stature beyond the legal realm.
2012
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Parasaran received the prestigious Justice Shri K.S. Krishnaswamy Iyengar Medal during his Bar Council examination, highlighting his early excellence in Hindu law.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2014, at the age of 87, Parasaran appeared in the Supreme Court defending the National Judicial Appointments Commission, demonstrating his enduring legal influence.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 by the President of India, a rare honor recognizing his legal expertise and public service beyond the courtroom.

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🌱 What changed because of them

K. Parasaran's legal advocacy in landmark cases like the Ayodhya dispute and Sabarimala pilgrimage redefined the intersection of law and religion in India. His tenure as Attorney General during a transformative political era influenced the interpretation of constitutional law and federal disputes, including major river water conflicts. Institutions like the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra carry forward his legal and cultural legacy.

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