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Giani Zail Singh
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| In office July 25, 1982 – July 25, 1987 |
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| Vice President | Muhammad Hidayat Ullah (1982-1984) R. Venkataraman (1984-1987) |
| Preceded by | Neelam Sanjiva Reddy |
| Succeeded by | R. Venkataraman |
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| In office March 12, 1983 – September 6, 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Neelam Sanjiva Reddy |
| Succeeded by | Robert Mugabe |
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| Born | May 5, 1916 |
| Died | December 25, 1994 |
| Religion | Sikhism |
Giani Zail Singh (Punjabi: ਜ਼ੈਲ ਸਿੰਘ, May 5, 1916 – December 25, 1994) was an Indian politician and member of the Congress Party. He served as the seventh President of India between 1982 and 1987.
Sardar Zail Singh, a Sikh by religion, was given the title of Giani, as he was educated and learned about Guru Granth Sahib. He had a humble start in life and his father was a carpenter who was killed in an automobile accident.
Zail Singh's public life was long and varied - freedom fighter, state Congress leader, Chief Minister, Union Home Minister,and the president of India. A fighter against princedom, feudalism and foreign domination in the pre-independence days, he is also remembered for his crusade against communalism, economic disparities and social injustice in the republic. He also served as Chief Minister of Punjab. He was the President of India when the 1984 anti-Sikh riots took place in New Delhi.
President of India
Giani Zail Singh was elected to the highest office of the President of India on July 15, 1982 and took the oath of office on July 25, 1982. He was criticised for his subservient attitude to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He was President, when Indira Gandhi launched Operation Blue Star. Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister after the assassination of his mother by two of her Sikh bodyguards. Even though Zail Singh had strained relations with Rajiv Gandhi, he declined to embarrass his government by seeking re-election as President of India with the support of non-Congress parties. Giani Zail Singh died in a road accident on December 25, 1994, near Kiratpur Sahib in Ropar district. Following his accidental death, Zail Singh was cremated in the vicinity of the Raj Ghat.
Important positions
1951 Agriculture minister, Delhi
1956 Member of Indian parliament (Rajya Sabha)
1972 Chief minister of Punjab
1980 Minister of Home Affairs
1982 President
External links
| Preceded by Neelam Sanjiva Reddy |
President of India July 25, 1982-July 25, 1987 |
Succeeded by R. Venkataraman |
| Preceded by Neelam Sanjiva Reddy |
Secretary General of Non-Aligned Movement 1983-1986 |
Succeeded by Robert Mugabe |
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