The following is the full text of an appeal/ statement in the matter of member of Parliament George Fernandes by his longtime friends and wellwishers, issued by former Union minister and ambassador, Ajay Singh.
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“George Fernandes is one of the most influential of India’s political leaders of the last four decades. His entire life was dedicated to fighting tyranny, oppression, corruption, and for the upliftment of deprived sections of our society. His battles for equality, democracy, a free media, human rights and against all forms of injustice are well known.
“We, the long time friends of George Fernandes, are deeply distressed at the events of the last few weeks, which diminish this image of a great man who, due to a debilitating illness, is unable to defend himself or express himself publicly.
“We are also making this public statement to convey our deep concern for the well being, health and care of our friend George. We understand he is being moved from place to place and decisions on his well-being are being suddenly and arbitrarily taken by people who are not familiar with the particular aspects, past progress and treatment of his ailments. This is bound to have a severe adverse impact on his state of mind and body.
“A panel of suitable people comprising of his familiar doctors at AIIMS and his long time colleagues and care givers, including the immediate and extended family, should be constituted through a legal process to ensure a stable atmosphere for him to feel comfortable and at ease.
“All unseemly speculation and discussion being carried out in public view about his assets and relationships undermine the values that our friend George stands for.
“It is our duty as his friends and admirers to ensure him his dignity and to demand respect for what he has done and the choices he has made over so many years.”
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Issued by
1. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah , former chief justice, Supreme Court of India, former chairman national human rights commission, Padma Vibhushan awardee
2. Farooq Abdullah, Union minister of new and renewable energy, former chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir
3. Jaswant Singh, member of Parliament, former finance minister and defence minister
4. Viren J. Shah, former governor West Bengal and arrested in the Baroda dynamite case with George Fernandes, former Member of Parliament
5. Kamal Morarka, chairman Gannon Dunkerley group, former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and former Minister of State
6. U.R. Ananthamurthy, renowned Kannada writer, Jnanpith awardee, socialist, Padma Bhushan awardee
7. R.V. Pandit, philanthrophist, film producer, publisher
8. Rahul Bajaj, chairman Bajaj Group, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
9. Uday Kotak, vice-chairman and managing director of Kotak Mahindra Bank
10. Ravi Ruia, vice chairman, Essar group
11. Chandan Mitra, editor and publisher The Pioneer, former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
12. Capt C.P. Krishnan Nair, chairman, Leela Group of hotels, Padma Vibhushan
13. Rajesh V. Shah, managing director Mukund Ltd, former president CII
14. Lord Meghnad Desai, writer, economist, member of the House of Commons, UK
15. Kishwar Desai, writer
16. Vandana Shiva, writer, social activist, scientist
17. Leela Samson, eminent dancer, writer, Padma Shri awardee
18. Dr Beatrix D’Souza, educationist , former member of Parliament
19. Dr. Sonal Mansingh, eminent dancer, Padma Vibhushan Awardee
20. Ajay Singh, former deputy minister for railways, former ambassador to Fiji, journalist
Photograph: courtesy The Hindu
Also read: By George, it’s pati, patni aur woh & some crores
churumuri 
Karma!
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I’m guilty of having unnecessarily speculated about the nature of his activities and the assets he has acquired based on one sided reports and now after reading this feel a bit ashamed about the same.
But that apart, it is at once sad and scary to see what age and illness can do to a man. To think this was man who not so long ago was at the helm of one of the world’s most powerful armed forces (I understand that technically it is the president who is comander-in-chief but still).
I also feel that it is impracticable to constitute a panel of AIIMS doctors and a panel of friends and well wishers to take care of him.
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Look at the friends and well wishers of labour leader!!!
Hypocrites….
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familiar with india’s political history (including the defeat of the powerful s.k. patil in 1967 and the railway strike of 1974), i have always been impressed by this good, if cranky, man.
toward the end of an inspiring political career, george saab erred — he took on the self-righteous hacks of “tehelka” for their obfuscated methods of journalism. that instantly rendered him persona non grata for the secular media. he had always been persona non grata by the “non-secular” media.
i am pleased that george saab’s old friends are speaking up for him… even though I don’t understand what exactly they are trying to say!
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It is rather curious that the name of a long time confidante of George, Jaya Jaitely is missing in this long list of George’s friends.
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Peshva:
>I don’t understand what exactly they are trying to say!
simple. Don’t speculate, don’t denigrate and don’t try to take advantage of a man, irrespective of the personal choices he may have made in his life. Remember him for all the public good he has done.
It is indeed a great effort by his friends. He was a great man for all his smaller faults, and that’s what he will leave behind.
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Mr Fernandes is entitled to all the dignity and respect that every person with dementia should get.
What I dont understand is the manner in which thses friends sign themselves- does awardee of this and chairperson of that and ex minsister of something else have any logical relation to the request of respect they are making for their friend!!!!
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Khan sahebre, what is wrong with the list of names?
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Personal choices of public figures will be put under the lens. Live with it.
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Never heard about the wife and son of George Fernandes. How come they have arrived on the scene once he is bed ridden. The request issued is by eminent people from different strata including one a legal luminary. Certainly they know what they are doing. It should be taken seriously and the government should act upon it.
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Khan.. please see that the list has people from different paths across the length and breadth of India… don’t be blind…
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Agree with Khan,
There are atleast seven Industrialists appearing in the list..
Name “Rahul Bajaj” makes me puke.
He screwed India royally with his Bajaj shitak. I too bought one during the license raj and remember the shame heaped on me by Bajaj dealer at Supela Bhilai.. I had decided never to buy anything Bajaj. I even threw away a Bajaj iron box though made by some other Bajaj.
Never in my life read anything written or signed by Bajaj.
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Read The statement:
We understand he is being moved from place to place and decisions on his well-being are being suddenly and arbitrarily taken by people who are not familiar with the particular aspects, past progress and treatment of his ailments..
The word “understand” betrays what in legal parlance is just hearsay !!
It also pre-supposes that the line of treatment is dictated by kith and kin and not the medical experts attending on him!
It is obvious who is behind the whole fracas and but surprising to see the name of EX-CJI in the list !
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@Rajachandra – excellent points. However, my feeling is that all these worthies have lent support to the statement more out of a sense of concern after seeing the dirty linen being washed, rather than looking at the technicalities.
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Exactly!
How did they “understand”?
Through Outlook’s scholarly exposition of Fernandes’ predicament?
Whoever produced the Tehelka exposé, are damn determined to finish its subject to the end.
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By George! What has become of you ? Tehelka – Coffins – J Jaya (i mean Jaitley) – your recent election plea – your properties and finally a public petition from distinguished list. I am being driven to dementia
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