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{{Short description|Indian human rights lawyer (1932–2018)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Girish Patel
| image =
| birth_name = Girish Chhotalal Patel
| birth_date = 5 December 1932
| birth_place = [[Nadiad]], [[Gujarat]], British India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|10|6|1932|12|5|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]], India
| education = L.L.M.
| alma_mater = [[Harvard University]]
| occupation = Advocate
| organization = Lok Adhikar Sangh
| spouse = Kusumben Patel
| awards = Bhagirath Human Rights Award
}}

'''Girish Patel''' (5 December 1932 – 6 October 2018) was an Indian human rights lawyer, academic and constitutional expert.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-10-06 |title=Girish Patel, prominent human rights lawyer from Gujarat, dies at 85 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/girish-patel-prominent-human-rights-lawyer-from-gujarat-dies-at-85-5389377/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Patel studied at a municipality school, then completed L.L.B. in 1956 before earning L.L.M. at [[Harvard Law School]] in the United States.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Tribute to Girish Patel, a Lawyer-Activist Who Helped Keep Society Humane |url=https://thewire.in/rights/tribute-girish-patel-lawyer-activist |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=The Wire}}</ref>

==Career==
Patel practiced at [[International Court of Justice]], then upon return to India served as principal of Maneklal Nanavati Law College in [[Ahmedabad]], as member of [[Gujarat University]] Senate, and as member of the [[Gujarat]] State Law Commission.

Patel founded Lok Adhikar Sangh in 1977, and under its banner fought cases on behalf of Dalits, tribals, minorities, women, child workers, bonded labourers and farm workers.<ref name=":3" /> He practiced at [[Gujarat High Court]] from 1975 for over 40 years. He provided pro bono service to most of his clients.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

Patel filed over 200 [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigations]] (PILs).<ref name=":0" />

Patel specialised in jurisprudence and the philosophy of law. His mentees coined the term Girishprudence.<ref name=":3" />

Patel, along with [[M. C. Bhatt]], provided legal assistance to [[Narmada Bachao Andolan]] and worked closely with [[Medha Patkar]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=IANS |date=2018-10-06 |title=Gujarat human rights lawyer Girish Patel passes away |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/gujarat-human-rights-lawyer-girish-patel-passes-away-118100600811_1.html |access-date=2023-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kothari |first=Urvish |date=2022-09-16 |title=Gujarat CM labeled Medha Patkar urban Naxal but Narmada Andolan never saw this cancel culture |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/gujarat-cm-labeled-medha-patkar-urban-naxal-but-narmada-andolan-never-saw-this-cancel-culture/1129717/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

Patel was awarded Bhagirath Human Rights Award in 2002.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-08-28 |title=Human rights activist Girish Patel awarded |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/human-rights-activist-girish-patel-awarded/articleshow/20496705.cms |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Death and legacy==
Patel died at his home in Ahmedabad in 2018 due to age-related complications. His body was donated per his wishes. His death was received with sadness by civil society.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Jignesh Mevani's Tribute to Girish Patel, Custodian of Human Rights and Dignity |url=https://thewire.in/society/a-tribute-to-girish-patel-custodian-of-human-rights-and-dignity |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=The Wire}}</ref> Girish Patel Smarnanjali Lecture Series has been instituted to honour his memory.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2022-10-03 |title=India rarely saw accountability of State in targeted violence: Teesta Setalvad |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/india-rarely-saw-accountability-of-state-in-targeted-violence-teesta-setalvad/article65965534.ece |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Dalit leader and Gujarat MLA [[Jignesh Mevani]] worked under the mentorship of Patel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-20 |title=From Dalit activist to Gujarat MLA: Tracking Jignesh Mevani's journey |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-depth-jignesh-mevani-s-journey-from-a-dalit-activist-to-vadgam-mla/story-T9N0QvSF6jVaah8tjKPlQI.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian human rights activists]]
[[Category:Indian civil rights activists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:Harvard Law School alumni]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Human rights lawyers]]

{{India-law-bio-stub}}

Girishbhai Patel - Revision history

Red apple learning at 04:59, 10 March 2026