George Fernandes, the man who fought against emergency and threw out Coca-Cola from India
Defence minister for two terms between 1998-99 and 1999-2001
Manorama Online
George Fernandes served as India’s defence minister in India for two significant terms, during the Kargil war (1999) between India and Pakistan, and when India conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. He was known for his frequent trips to Siachen glacier in the northern Himalayas to look after the soldiers being deployed there.
Fight against emergency
Manorama online
He was a prominent leader in the fight against the Emergency period imposed by the then Prime Minsiter Indira Gandhi. The political upheaval led to Janata party defeating the Congress government in 1977.
He was in prison at the time of his first political victory
Manorama Online
When Janata Party won the general election in 1977, Fernandes was in prison. He had won from Muzaffarpur in Bihar.
Held several positions as Union Minister
George Fernandes (left) and Donald Rumsfeld (right) | Wikipedia.org
Upon release from jail, he was appointed Industries Minister by the government voted into power in 1977. In a political career that spanned decades since, Fernandes held different positions including railways and communications too.
Comrade against Coca Cola
Fernandes at Pentagon | Defence archive
As a industries minister in 1977, George Fernandes took on mighty companies like Coca-Cola and IBM. He demanded that foreign companies must abide by the law and transfer 60% of their ownership in India to a local company. He also led the demand for Coca Cola to reveal its formula. The American beverage giant wrapped up its business in India only to reenter in 1993.
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