Benegal Shiva Rao also known as B. Shiva Rao was a prominent journalist and Constituent Assembly Member. He was born 127 years ago on 26th February 1891. Born in a family of doctors and diplomats, in his early life, he completed his graduation from Chennai and made a career as a journalist. He was influenced by the theosophical society and also associated with the labour movement both nationally and internationally.
In his professional life, he worked as a journalist and politician. He worked as a correspondent in the Hindu and the Manchester Guardian. He made a distinguished career as a journalist. He served as a parliamentarian in both the Houses of Parliament. He was elected into the first Lok Sabha from the South Kanara constituency of Karnataka. He was also the member of the Rajya Sabha from 1957-1960.
His political contributions can be attributed towards the building of a new democracy after years of colonial rule. His famous work can be traced to the Framing of the India’s Constitution (Volumes 6). His political contributions were path-breaking and represented India on several international platforms such as leading the Indian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.
One of his controversial period in politics was during the Jeep Scandal. Jeep scandal had been independent India’s first major corruption scam. His equation with Nehru had been questioned as he was the driving force behind the report of Congress Parliamentary Party’s subcommittee on the jeep scandal. The report included the name of V K Krishna Memon, but the report was never published.
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Shreyan Acharya is an intern and has graduated from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.