NEW DELHI: India bids farewell to Justice Fathima Beevi, a trailblazer whose remarkable life journey epitomized women's empowerment and reshaped the landscape of the Indian legal profession. The first Muslim woman appointed as a Supreme Court judge, Justice Beevi passed away at 96 in a Kollam hospital, leaving behind a legacy that inspired countless women to pursue careers in law.
Born in 1927 in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Justice Beevi's early years were marked by the unwavering support of her father, Annaveetil Meera Sahib, a government employee who encouraged his six daughters to pursue education at a time when societal norms discouraged it. Despite her initial aspirations in chemistry, Justice Beevi eventually embarked on a legal journey, inspired by the trailblazing Anna Chandy, the first woman judicial officer in Travancore.
In 1950, she became the first woman law graduate to receive the gold medal from the Bar Council, setting the stage for a groundbreaking career. Her entry into the legal profession faced resistance from orthodox elements in the Muslim community, but undeterred, she shattered stereotypes as a junior advocate in Kollam district court.
After eight years, she entered the judicial service, becoming a munsiff and eventually the district sessions judge in 1974. Her elevation to the Kerala High Court in 1983 marked another milestone, and in 1989, she ascended to the Supreme Court, further solidifying her place in history.
As a judge, Justice Beevi championed equality in pivotal verdicts, notably participating in a case concerning the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Appointments) Act in 1991. Beyond the judiciary, she served as the governor of Tamil Nadu from 1997 to 2001, earning attention for her stance on the mercy pleas in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
In 2001, facing a constitutional dilemma during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, she invited Jayalalithaa to form the government despite legal challenges. Her principled decisions, including the rejection of mercy pleas and controversial political moves, defined her legacy.
Reflecting on her groundbreaking appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Beevi emphasized that the executive played a pivotal role, stating, "It was not because of any scarcity of competent women to be appointed to the Supreme Court." She also defended her decision to invite Jayalalithaa, emphasizing that the political leader was acquitted at the time.
Justice Fathima Beevi's indomitable spirit, commitment to justice, and trailblazing journey continue to inspire generations, reaffirming her status as a pioneer for gender equality and a beacon for women in the legal profession.
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