George Fernandes was born on 3 June 1930 in Mangaluru, Karnataka. He moved to Bombay in 1949 search of job but came into the contact of veteran union leader Placid D'Mello, and the socialist Rammanohar Lohia. He actively took part in the socialist trade union movement. Due to his steadfast and constant campaigns against capitalists, he became popular among laborers and general masses. As a labor organizer, he served many prison terms when his workforce engaged in fights with company goons. He served as a member of the Bombay Municipal Corporation from 1961 to 1968. Later he contested and won 1967 general elections from the Bombay South constituency on the ticket of Samyukta Socialist Party. He defected Sadashiv Kanoji Patil of the Indian National Congress and earned the nickname, "George the Giantkiller". The shocking defeat ended Patil's political career.
1974 Railway Strike and Era of Emergency
George Fernandes will be ever remembered for 1974 railway strike. As President of the All India Railwaymen's Federation, he led the railway strike, bringing the entire nation to a halt. It was one of the events that led to the imposition of the Emergency in June 1975. Fernandes went underground while challenging then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for imposing a state of emergency. In 1976 he was arrested and tried in the infamous Baroda dynamite case.
Role as Union Minister
In the general election of 1977, the Congress Party, led by Indira Gandhi, suffered a massive defeat at the hands of the Janata Party. Fernandes contested and won the Muzaffarpur seat in Bihar. He was also appointed the Union Minister for Industries in Morarji Desai government. Fernandes holds credit for setting up of a Doordarshan Kendra (1978), Kanti Thermal Power Station (1978) and the Lijjat papad factory in Muzaffarpur. In November 2014, Kanti Thermal Power Station was renamed as George Fernandes Thermal Power Station (GFTPS).
Fernandes broke away from the erstwhile Janata Dal and formed the Samata Party in 1994. He became the convenor of National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed the first non-Congress coalition government in post-independence India. As Defence Minister, George Fernandes oversaw the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 and the Kargil war. In 2003, Fernandes reunited with the Janata Dal (United), and also merged his Samata Party with it.
Illness and Death
Suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, George Fernandes passed away on 29th January 2019. He was 88. He is survived by his wife Leila Kabir and son Sean Fernandes. Many political leaders expressed sadness on the passing away of former Defence Minister George Fernandes.
President of India: Distressed to learn of the passing of Shri George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him #PresidentKovind
Narendra Modi: George Sahab represented the best of India’s political leadership.
Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised.
Saddened by his passing away.
When we think of Mr. George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong.
During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace.
Rajnath Singh: Deeply saddened by the passing away of India’s former Defence Minister George Fernandes ji. Today we have lost a stalwart of India’s socialist movement. He devoted his entire life for the welfare and uplift of the poor and marginalised. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
George Fernandes ji served the nation in several capacities and held key portfolios like Defence and Railways at different times. He led many labour movements and fought against the injustice towards them. His tenure as Defence Minister was outstanding. May his soul rest in peace
Mamata Banerjee: Very saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers
Nitish Kumar: I offer my deepest condolences on passing away of former defence minister George Fernandes. He was a fiery trade union leader who fought for justice. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family.