Kant, Krishan

▪ 2003

      Indian politician (b. Feb. 28, 1927, Kot Mohammad Khan, Punjab, India—d. July 27, 2002, New Delhi, India), devoted his entire life to Indian freedom, social welfare, and civil liberties and rose to become vice president in 1997. Kant, who came from a family of devout followers of Mohandas Gandhi, plunged into active politics while still a student and was imprisoned for his involvement in the anti-British Quit India movement of 1942. He rose in the Congress Party, identifying himself with the socialist group, and was elected to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) in 1966. In 1975 Kant was expelled from the Congress Party for his opposition to the state of emergency declared by then prime minister Indira Gandhi. He joined the Janata Party and in 1977 was elected to the Lok Sabha (lower house). He was appointed governor of Andhra Pradesh in 1990. In early 2002 Kant, whose simplicity and dedication to social work had won him widespread respect, was touted as a possible candidate for president, but he was passed over in favour of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

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