PM Modi Expresses Grief Over Passing Away Of Swami Kesavanand Bharati

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (6 September) expressed grief over the passing away of Kesavananda Bharati, a seer whose legal fight led to the Constitution's 'basic structure' doctrine.

"We will always remember Pujya Kesavananda Bharati Ji for his contributions towards community service and empowering the downtrodden. He was deeply attached to India’s rich culture and our great Constitution. He will continue to inspire generations. Om Shanti," PM Modi said in a tweet.

The 79-year-old Bharati, the head of the Edneer Math in Kerala's Kasargod, passed away Sunday morning.

In 1973, Kesavananda had filed a case challenging the Kerala government’s attempts to impose restrictions over the mutt property. The Supreme Court in a 7-6 majority verdict over the case had pronounced that while Parliament had “wide” powers, it cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution, reports Indian Express.

The case was heard by the largest ever SC bench of 13 judges for 68 days and holds the record for the longest hearing ever to have taken place. The hearing in the case started on 31 October 1972 and concluded on 23 March 1973.