Saint Keshavanand Bharti, the warrior of the historic fight who fought for fundamental rights in the constitution, died

 

Saint Kesavananda Bharti In 1973, he fought a historic battle in the Supreme Court against the Kerala government over the property of the monastery, which is still remembered today in the name of Keshavanand Bharti v. Union of India.

 

He was 79 years old. Sant Kesavananda Bharti was the head of the Edenir Math at Kasargod in Kerala. The country will remember him as a man who saved the Constitution. Actually, 47 years ago today, in 1973, he fought a historic battle against the Kerala government in the Supreme Court over the property of the monastery. At that time, a bench of 13 judges gave a historic decision in favour of Sant Kesavananda Bharti regarding the fundamental right of the constitution. In fact, the Kerala government had imposed many restrictions on his monastery property at that time.

 

He was admitted to a private hospital in Mangalore due to shortness of breath and cardiac arrest. He was the principal of the Math from the year 1961. Along with being a saint, he was also a classical singer. For 15 years he participated in Yakshagana Mela as a singer and director. He also conducted many literary programs in the monastery.

 

Saint Keshavanand Bharti filed a petition in the Kerala High Court in the year 1970 as the head of the monastery. Citing Article 26, he demanded that he be given the fundamental right to manage his religious property. He had challenged the 24th, 25th and 29th constitutional amendments of the central government, prohibiting the fundamental right to property through constitutional amendments. He lost the case after hearing for 68 days. Later he challenged this decision of the High Court in the Supreme Court. Where the Supreme Court ruled in his favour.

 

Saint Kesavananda Bharti retired at the age of just 19. A few years later, due to the demise of his master, he became the head of the Edenir Math. The history of this monastery is believed to be around 1,200 years old. This is why it is highly respected in Kerala and Karnataka. This monastery is also known for promoting theatrical and dance traditions of India. In the sixties and seventies, this monastery also had thousands of acres of land in Kasargod.