THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kollam, Nov 23: India’s first woman Supreme Court judge, Justice Fathima Beevi, passed away at a private hospital in Kerala’s Kollam at the age of 96.
Fathima Beevi also held the position of the Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1997 to 2001. Additionally, she served as the inaugural chairperson of the Commission for Backward Classes and was a member of the first Central Human Rights Commission.
Fathima Beevi was bestowed with the Kerala Prabha Award in 2023, which is the second-highest accolade presented by the Government of Kerala.
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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences on the demise of Justice Fathima Beevi.
He said, “Fathima Beevi’s life was an unforgettable symbol in the history of women’s advancement in the state. Pursuing her higher education in an era when even primary education was difficult for girls, she graced prestigious positions in the judiciary, from Munsiff to the first woman judge of the Supreme Court. Kerala got its first woman judge in the Supreme Court through Justice Fatima Beevi. Justice Fathima Beevi is the first Muslim woman to rise to high positions in the judiciary.”
Kerala CM Vijayan added, “Fathima Beevi had the unique power to overcome the negative factors of social situations seeing them as a challenge. It inspired the whole society, especially women. Her actions to protect human rights as a member of the National Human Rights Commission is also notable. It was during her tenure as the Governor of Tamil Nadu that her constitutional wisdom in judicial life was manifested in practical terms. Fatima Beevi was the owner of a great personality who raised the reputation of Kerala in many ways. Her demise is a great loss to our society. As a tribute to Justice Fatima Beevi’s life path, the state has chosen her for the Kerala Prabha Award.”
The Chief Minister further mentioned that he empathizes with the sorrow felt by her family members. Ministers, opposition leaders, and representatives from various political parties also conveyed their condolences on her passing.
