Ram Jethmalani – Legendary Lawyer, Statesman & Legal Luminary of India

Ram Jethmalani (1923–2019) was a towering figure in Indian law and politics, renowned for his unmatched courtroom brilliance, fearless advocacy, and unflinching commitment to justice. For more than seven decades, he rose to become one of India’s most distinguished lawyers, handling landmark cases that shaped the nation’s legal landscape. Beyond his legal career, Jethmalani served as a Union Minister, parliamentarian, educator, and public intellectual, earning respect for his forthright views and uncompromising principles. His legacy endures as that of a reformer, mentor, and defender of truth who left an indelible mark on India’s legal and political history. Ram Jethmalani has been called many things—a legal legend, a wizard of the law, and a magnet for controversy — with a knack for defending the most notorious figures in India. With a career spanning almost the entire history of independent India, he managed to command respect and evoke anger in equal measure. He was the most pro-Israel politician in Asia; one of the founders of the prestigious National Law School of India, Bangalore; one of the first to raise the issue of corruption in India; founder of the Sunday Guardian in the late 1980s, and one of the longest-serving parliamentarians. This exclusive Interview with Ram Jethmalani by Dr. Shan Chandrasekar, President & CEO of ATN Canada, is part of ATN’s popular television series, “The Achievers,” and a massive archive featuring celebrities of International Stature.