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Mohammad Hidayatullah
Mohammad Hidayatullah was born on 17th December in 1905 and was elected as the eleventh Chief Justice of the country which he served from 25th February 1968 to 16th December 1970. From 20th August 1979 till 20th August 1984, he served the country as the sixth Vice President. He also served the nation as an Acting President of the country during the period 20th July to 24th August 1969 while serving as the Chief Justice of the country.
Early Life and Education
He was born in the much known family that belonged to the upper society of the country. His father was Khan Bahadur Hafiz Mohammed Wilayatullah who was an Urdu poet and it is believed that Mohammad Hidayatullah got the flavour for literature and language because of him. He was also a gold medallist in mathematics in 1897 from University of Aligarh. Tile the year 1928, he worked for ICS while served as the member for Central Legislative Assembly during the years 1929 to 1933. His two brothers Mohammed Ikramullah and Ahmedullah were sports person as well as they were also academically intellectuals. Mohammad Hidayatullah was known for his poetry in Urdu language.
Mohammad Hidayatullah completed his elementary education in 1922 from Government High School in Raipur. Further, he went to Morris College of Nagpur where in 1926, he was chosen to receive Phillips Scholar. During those days, many Indians went to Britain to get the law degree and so Mohammad Hidayatullah attended Trinity College to pursue law degree from Cambridge University from 1927 to 1930. He received Gold medal in 1930 for his performance by securing 2nd merit. At the young age of 25, he was asked to come to Bar, the famous Lincoln’s Inn. Philippines University presented him LL.D. while the Universities of Bhopal and Kakatiya awarded him with D.Litt. Munshi Kudartullah, grandfather of Hidayatullah, worked in Varanasi as an Advocate while Arshad Hidayatullah, his son, works in the Supreme Court of India as the Senior Counsel.
In 1929, he was selected to be the President of Indian Majlis at Cambridge. At Cambridge, he also attained English and Law Tripos from the distinguished Lincoln’s Inn and in 1930, he also acquired a position as the Barrister of Law.
Judicial Career
After completing his graduation from Britain, he came back to his own country India and started serving as the Advocate in the High court of Central Provinces and Berar in Nagpur from 19th July 1930. Later, he started working as the Advocate General of Central Provinces and Berar from 2nd August 1943 and remained at this position till he was selected to be the Additional Judge at the High court from 24th June 1946.
He was ranked as the youngest Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh state in India in 1943 and also was the youngest Chief Justice for the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in 1954.
Nagpur High Court selected him as the judge in 1946 and was on this position till he became the Chief Justice for the High Court of Nagpur in 1954. He acquired this position till 1956 and further was appointed as the Chief Justice of High Court of Madhya Pradesh from November 1956.
In December 1958, he acquired the position of Justice at the Supreme Court of India. He was the youngest person to be the judge in Supreme Court. He served this rank for almost ten years and on 28th February 1968, he vowed as the Chief Justice of India and thus, he became the first Muslim to be the Chief Justice of the country and remained on the seat till 16th December 1970.
Other Positions
He has been the member of following offices and committees:-
- Nagpur Municipal Committee from 1931 to 1933
- Executive and Academic counsellor at Nagpur University from 1934 to 1953
- Nagpur Improvement Trust from year 1943 to 1945
- Nagpur Bar Council from 1943 to 1946
- Chief Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guide in Madhya Pradesh from 1950 to 1953
Other Positions Held
1967–72 | Deputy Minister, Public Health, Prohibition, Tourism, Housing & Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Maharashtra |
1972–74 | Cabinet Minister, Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra |
1974–75 | Cabinet Minister, Public Health & Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra |
1975–76 | Cabinet Minister, Prohibition, Rehabilitation and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra |
1977–78 | Cabinet Minister, Education, Government of Maharashtra |
1979–1980 | Leader of the Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly |
1982–85 | Cabinet Minister, Urban Development and Housing, Government of Maharashtra |
1983–85 | Cabinet Minister, Civil Supplies and Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra |
1986–1988 | Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha |
1986–88 | Chairman, Committee of Privileges, Rajya Sabha; Member, Business Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha |
1991–1996 | Chairman, House Committee, Lok Sabha |
8 November 2004 – 23 June 2007 | Governor of Rajasthan |
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