Krishan Kant (28 February 1927 – 27 July 2002) was an Indian politician who served as the vice president of India from 1997 until his death in 2002.

[2] After independence, he studied chemical engineering[1] and briefly worked as a scientist with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, before turning to politics.

Kant was born on 28 February 1927[4] in Kot Mohammad Khan, Amritsar district, Punjab province[2] to independence activists, Lala Achint Ram and Satyavati Devi.

[6] Post-independence, Lala Achint Ram was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and represented Hisar and Patiala in the Lok Sabha.

[2] In 1966, Kant was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, representing the state of Haryana.

[7] Despite belonging to her Congress party, he opposed Indira Gandhi's decision to impose the Emergency,[1][7] supported opposition leader Jayaprakash Narayan and his anti-corruption campaign.

In 1997, Kant was jointly selected as the candidate for the vice presidential election by Indian National Congress and United Front.

[13] He defeated former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala to become India's tenth vice president.

[1] On 27 July 2002, Kant was admitted to AIIMS, New Delhi and was declared dead after an hour, after suffering a heart attack.

[17] Prime minister Vajpayee noted Kant's contribution to the independence movement and his opposition to the Emergency and termed his death the "end of an era".

[18] Kant was cremated in a state funeral at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi, on the banks of Yamuna river on 28 July 2002.