Subhash C Kashyap dies at 97; former Lok Sabha Secretary General hailed for constitutional work

Former Lok Sabha Secretary General and constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap has died at 97 after age-related illness, officials said. President Draupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Speaker Om Birla offered condolences, noting his scholarship on the Indian Constitution and parliamentary democracy, and his role on the simultaneous elections panel.

Former Lok Sabha Secretary General and constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap died on Thursday after a long illness. Kashyap was 97. Lok Sabha Secretariat officials said Kashyap died around 10 am. Kashyap died at the Sainik Farm residence. Officials said Kashyap faced age-linked health problems. Officials said Kashyap died due to cardio-pulmonary arrest.

President Draupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed condolences. Leaders also recalled Kashyap’s work on constitutional interpretation and law-making. Kashyap wrote more than 100 books. Kashyap served as Lok Sabha secretary general from 1983 to 1990.

Subhash C Kashyap condolence messages from national leaders

In a message, President Murmu said, "He enriched our study of the Constitution and the development of our parliamentary system with his erudition and insight. I express my deepest condolences to his family.\" Vice-President Radhakrishnan said Kashyap was an eminent expert. Vice-President Radhakrishnan said Kashyap strengthened understanding of India’s Constitution and parliamentary democracy.

Prime Minister Modi said Kashyap was among India’s leading constitutional scholars. Prime Minister Modi said Kashyap’s work added depth to constitutional and parliamentary discussion. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also mourned the death. Om Birla said it is a profound loss to Indian parliamentary democracy, constitutional discourse and public life.

Subhash C Kashyap roles in Parliament and law panels

Kashyap served Parliament for more than 37 years. The service began from Jawaharlal Nehru’s first Lok Sabha. It continued up to the 9th Lok Sabha. Kashyap later worked on key national panels. Kashyap served on the committee on One Nation, One Election. Former president Ram Nath Kovind chaired that committee.

Kashyap also joined the high-level committee led by Ram Nath Kovind. The panel worked on a legal framework for simultaneous elections. After voluntary retirement, Kashyap advised the Government of India. Kashyap served as honorary constitutional advisor on Panchayati Raj Institutions laws. Kashyap also worked on the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution.

Subhash C Kashyap early life, education and career

Born in 1929, Kashyap came from a family of freedom fighters. The birthplace was Chadpur in Bijnor in the then United Provinces. The area is now in Uttar Pradesh. As a teenager, Kashyap joined the Independence struggle. Kashyap led local student movements in Bijnor, then in Meerut.

Kashyap studied and trained in several cities. The places included Allahabad, New Delhi, Washington DC, London and Geneva. Kashyap began work as a journalist. Kashyap also served as an assistant professor at the University of Allahabad. Kashyap then completed advocates training at the Allahabad High Court. Kashyap later joined Parliament.

Kashyap received several honours during the career. Kashyap was awarded the Padma Bhushan. Family members said Kashyap is survived by a wife, two sons and a daughter. The Lok Sabha Secretariat said Kashyap died at the Sainik Farm home. Officials said the death followed prolonged illness and age-related health issues.

With inputs from PTI