Siddhartha Shankar
Biography
Siddhartha Shankar Ray (20 October 1920 – 6 November 2010) was a prominent Indian lawyer, diplomat, and politician associated with the Indian National Congress. Throughout his extensive career, he held several key positions, including Chief Minister of West Bengal, Union Minister of Education, Governor of Punjab, and Indian Ambassador to the United States.
Early Life and Education
Born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India, Ray hailed from a distinguished family. His father, Sudhir Kumar Ray, was a barrister at the Calcutta High Court and an active member of the Indian National Congress. His mother, Aparna Devi, was the daughter of the esteemed freedom fighter Chittaranjan Das. Ray pursued his education at Presidency College, Calcutta, and later qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from the Inner Temple in London.
Legal and Political Career
Upon returning to India in 1946, Ray commenced his legal practice at the Calcutta High Court. His political journey began in 1957 when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Bhabanipur constituency. He served as the Minister of Law and Tribal Welfare in West Bengal under Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. Demonstrating his commitment to public service, Ray held various legislative positions, including representing the Chowranghee constituency and serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from 1969 to 1971.
In 1971, Ray was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Raiganj constituency and was appointed as the Union Minister of Education and Youth Services under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. During this period, he also oversaw West Bengal affairs and played a significant role during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Tenure as Chief Minister of West Bengal
Ray assumed the office of Chief Minister of West Bengal on 20 March 1972, serving until 30 April 1977. His tenure was marked by efforts to address the influx of refugees from East Pakistan and to suppress the Naxalite insurgency. While his administration took stringent measures to restore law and order, it faced criticism for alleged human rights violations and political violence. Notably, Ray was instrumental in enacting the West Bengal Panchayat Act of 1973, which restructured the local governance system into a three-tier panchayat model.
Role During the Emergency
Ray played a pivotal role during the Emergency period (1975–1977) in India. He is credited with advising Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to impose an "internal emergency" and drafting the presidential proclamation that led to the suspension of democratic freedoms, a decision that remains controversial in Indian political history.
Later Positions
After his tenure as Chief Minister, Ray continued to serve in various significant capacities. From 2 April 1986 to 8 December 1989, he was the Governor of Punjab, where he confronted the challenges posed by the Sikh insurgency. Later, between 1992 and 1996, he served as India's Ambassador to the United States, working to strengthen bilateral relations during a transformative period in global politics.
Personal Life and Legacy
Ray was married to Maya Ray, a fellow legal professional and parliamentarian. After retiring from active politics in 1996, he returned to legal practice at the Calcutta High Court. He remained a respected figure in political and legal circles until his passing on 6 November 2010 in Kolkata. In his honor, the "Siddhartha Shankar Ray Foundation" was established to engage in various social activities and commemorate his contributions to the nation.
