Following is the text from the 15 June 1945 edition of Indian Information (a journal published by the British-controlled Government of India during the Second World War). The title of the item was ‘Imam’s Visit to Indian Troops in the Middle East’
Maulana Syed Sulaiman Ashraf Bihari (1878-1939), a prominent figure in Indian history, dedicated his life to education, theology, and the pursuit of national unity.
A voice against partition and a champion of syncretic India, Shah Muhammad Umair and his story of resistance & unity continue to inspire.
From opposing the partition of Palestine in 1947 to recognizing Palestinian statehood in 1988, India has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause.
Sir Shah Sulaiman received honorary doctorates from the Universities of Allahabad and Aligarh in recognition of his eminent public services and deep interest in the cause of education and science.
A touching gesture between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad, revealed in Sardar Patel’s final letter.
Abdul Kadir Khan, a barrister who bridged London & Liverpool’s Muslim communities. He taught Arabic, Urdu & Persian at the Liverpool Muslim Institute.
Janata Weekly, India’s oldest Socialist weekly, began its publication in 1946. Janata desires to bring to Indian politics a breath of fresh air and an enlightened articulation of modern thoughts
Begum Zohra Ansari sold away ‘Dar-us-Salam’ to raise party funds and worked for the victory of the candidates of the Indian National Congress and for the defeat of the candidates of the Muslim League, who wanted partition.
Ather Siddiqi was a researcher of eminence in his field and his research has been nationally and internationally recognised in the scientific world.
Syed Mehdi Imam was renowned for his legal expertise and is among the elite barristers of his era. In 1937 he published his collection of poems which comprised both poetry as well as philosophy.
Lakshmibai Rajwade’s unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women has been at the forefront of her endeavors.
Maulvi Mohammad Yahya – One Of The Founding Members Of All India Momin Conference & Publisher Editor Al Momin
In a historic proclamation, Maulana Asad Madni, leader of Jamiat Ulamai Hind, shared the formation of the All India Palestine Committee. This committee was established in August 1967, to address the grave issue of the loss of the Holy Places, including Baitul Muqaddas, Palestine, and other Arab territories seized by Israel.
Jamiat Ulamai Hind played a significant role in the Indian Freedom struggle against British rule, stood firmly against the division of India and emphasized the importance of justice and the security of Arabia. The formation of this committee highlights the commitment of Jamiat Ulamai Hind to the cause of Arab victims of Israeli aggression and the freedom of Afro-Asian countries from imperialist control.
Sir Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana, a politician belonging to the Punjab Unionists party, opposed the Partition of India and the ideology of the Muslim League.
Nazir Hussain, a Azad Hind Fauj soldier personally admired by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, is the father of Bhojpuri cinema. He wrote the 1st movie on INA in 1950.
Atiya Faizee was the first Muslim woman in India to receive a modern education, involve herself in women’s activism and appear without a veil in public.
On 27th September 1978, Syed Mohammad Advocate, my grandfather and one of the famous lawyers of North Bihar passed away in Muzaffarpur leaving a deep void in the legal profession at that time. As a little over six years of age, I have a faint memory of his huge funeral procession being attended by men cutting across religion and caste and sect.
A massive earthquake rocked Bihar on 15 January 1934 killing thousands of people. Mahatma Gandhi believed that the earthquake was a punishment from God because people in Bihar were agitating against his attempts to abolish untouchability.
The book was written, as Mirza Akhtar states in his preface, to make his sons aware of the events and trends in brief. The first chapter gives a history of Dehli. The author refers to Hindu hagiography like “Dilli Mahatam”, and reminds the readers that the old fort was earlier called Inderpat, reminiscent of Indraprastha of the hoary past. And from Pandavas he jumps to Anangpal Tomar and Prithviraj Chauhan. Interestingly Mirza Akhtar notes that many historians believed Prithviraj had built the first story of Qutub (Qutb) Minar.
The idea of reservation to OBCs (Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs) came about in 1990 after the Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented. The reservation under article 341 defined only SC community and most of these Pasmanda castes don’t come under this identification.
“This is the Congress radio calling on 42.34 meters from somewhere in India,” spoke Usha Mehta after the Quit India Movement had been silenced by the Britishers.
Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan plays Usha Mehta in her movie Ae Watan Mere Watan.
Read our special feature about India’s bravest Radio Jockey ,fondly known as Radio Ben
CAPTAIN LAKSHMI SAHGAL – Doctor by Job, Freedom Fighter by Will
During the Bengal famine, Sahir Ludhianvi wrote a poem which has a couplet:
In 1839, Samuel Morse, reputed as the telegraph pioneer, laid the first telegraph lines connecting Washington to Baltimore. In India, the same year, O’Shaughnessy completed 21 miles of a telegraph line wrapped around trees and vast stretches which included a river crossing of 4 miles as an experiment.
Democracy is an occidental idea. A Hindu cannot comprehend it as long as he is a Hindu. It is against his religious belief. The divisions of Varna are the basis of his religion. He cannot see without distress a Brahman or Kshtriya serving a Sudra. A Brahman may beg or even may die, yet he will never touch a dish from which a Sudra has partaken food.
Allama Iqbal Letter to Mahatma Gandhi, declining the offer of Vice-chancellorship of Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh, 29th November 1920.
Why do we celebrate the Republic Day of India on 26 January?
Zafaruddin Bihari: A scholar and Former Principal of Madrasa Shamsul Hoda
