V. V. Giri: Vice President of India

Varahagiri Venkata Giri, popularly known as V. V. Giri, played an important role in India’s political and labor history. Although people remember him most as the fourth President of India, his role as the third Vice President (from 1967 to 1969) also holds great significance. He upheld constitutional propriety, maintained neutrality, and acted wisely during a crucial period of political change.

Early Life and Background

V. V. Giri was born on 10 August 1894 in Berhampur, in the present-day state of Odisha. His Telugu-speaking Brahmin family raised him in a culturally rich environment. He completed his early education in India and then pursued law at University College Dublin in Ireland. There, Irish nationalists influenced him and sparked his political activism.

After returning to India, he actively joined the Indian independence movement. The British authorities arrested him several times for his involvement. His early encounters with labor issues and colonial injustice deeply shaped his lifelong dedication to workers’ rights, trade unions, and democratic governance.

Political and Administrative Career

• Before becoming Vice President, Giri had a distinguished career:
• Served as Minister of Labour in the interim government.
• Was India’s High Commissioner to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
• Served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka.
• Known for his expertise in labour law and industrial relations.

His wide experience in administration and governance made him a respected and non-controversial figure suitable for high constitutional roles.

Vice President of India (1967–1969)

Election as Vice President

V. V. Giri was elected as the third Vice President of India in 1967, succeeding Dr. Zakir Husain, who had become the President. As Vice President, Giri served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), a role that demands neutrality, patience, and an understanding of parliamentary procedures.

Contributions as Vice President

1. Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

V. V. Giri presided over the Rajya Sabha with dignity and balance. He ensured smooth proceedings of the House during politically turbulent times. His legal background and deep understanding of the Constitution allowed him to handle complex debates and maintain decorum in the House. He was impartial and respected across party lines, often giving thoughtful advice to both the government and the opposition.

2. A Time of Political Change

His tenure as Vice President came during a period when the Congress Party’s dominance was declining, and Indian politics was entering a more competitive phase. Giri played a stabilizing role, maintaining constitutional order and ensuring that the Vice President’s office remained above political rivalry.

From Vice President to President

In 1969, President Dr. Zakir Husain passed away while in office, and Vice President V. V. Giri automatically became the Acting President of India, as per the Constitution.

However, shortly afterward, Giri resigned from the Vice Presidency to contest the Presidential election as an independent candidate. This was a historic and dramatic election, as the Congress Party was divided. Giri ran as the candidate supported by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who defied the party leadership. He eventually won the Presidential election in 1969, becoming the first person to be elected President of India as an independent candidate, and the only person to rise from Vice President to Acting President and then to elected President.

Legacy as Vice President

• V. V. Giri’s vice presidency is remembered for stability, integrity, and neutrality.
• He ensured that the Rajya Sabha remained a forum for mature debate, even amid growing political fragmentation.
• His rise from a trade union leader to the highest constitutional posts in India is a remarkable story of democratic opportunity and personal merit.

Conclusion

V. V. Giri’s time as Vice President of India (1967–1969) was short but impactful. He handled the responsibilities of the office with distinction, laying the groundwork for his eventual rise to the presidency. A lifelong champion of labor and a dedicated public servant, Giri embodied the democratic values of the Indian Republic.

His vice presidency is a testament to the importance of experience, dignity, and impartiality in high constitutional offices. His life journey—from a labor leader to Vice President and then President—remains an inspiration in Indian political history.