The death of Shri P S Krishnan is a big blow to the forces of social justice in India. He was a man of great conviction who always stood with Dalits, Adivasis and OBC communities all through his life. A man who was responsible for developing the SC-ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Krishnan was also part of the Ministry of Social Justice, during V P Singh’s short tenure when the Mandal Commission Report was accepted and implemented.
P S Krishnan held many a high office. He was also but nurtured by those politicians who were considered to be honest and pro social justice. Under V P Singh, he was responsible for organising centenary Celebrations of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The late Arjun Singh as union minister for human resource development, sought his services for the implementation of reservationsat the higher level which was barred.
After his retirement, P S Krishnan continued with his support and advise to various organisations. He guided many a budding new officer and educating them on social justice issues, reservation issues and related issues.
Down to earth and humble, he was that rare breed among bureaucrats. P S Krishnan was of the generation and breed of another gentleman who I admire, S Shankaran and K Balagopal ( who was not a civil servant but people’s hero) who dedicated their lives for people and had no caste prejudices. They remain true to their convictions and constitution of India. We need more and more bureaucrats and lawyers who are dedicated to the spirit of constitution of India and do not suffer from the caste mind prejudiced towards the marginalised sections of society. The issue of the Dalit Adivasis and OBCs can not be seen from the prism of being a ‘patron saint’ but issue of their fair representation at every layer of our administration as well as our socio-political and cultural life.
P S Krishnan lived a full life but there was not a single day he was not busy or concerned with the issues of the marginalised. He was a guiding force for all those who believed in social justice and human rights of the marginalised. His presence will be missed at various forums and spaces where his guidance meant a lot for the benefit of the people historically denied justice.