Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, who labored hard to achieve Hindu-Muslim unity with the firm belief that Indian independence could be achieved only through united struggles of various communities, was born on 25 December 1880 in Yousufpur, Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh. His father was Haji Abdur Rehman and his mother was Illahan Bibi.
He graduated in medicine from Nizam College in 1900 and went to England to pursue higher studies with the help of a Scholarship provided by the Hyderabad State. He obtained his Masters Degree in Surgery in 1908 and returned to India in 1910. Though he became very famous as a Medical professional among the rich, he served the needy without any fees.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari’s political life started when he participated in the Home Rule Movement in 1916. He took membership in the Indian National Congress, which boosted his political career. He played an instrumental role in the Lucknow Pact between the Congress and the Muslim League. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari became very close to Mahatma Gandhi by participating in the Anti-Rowlatt Act Movement.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari and Jamia Millia Islamia
Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari led the Khilafat delegation, which met the Viceroy in 1920 and played an active role in the Non-Cooperation Movement. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari became the Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia after Hakim Ajmal Khan. He gave top priority to ensuring harmony between the Hindus and Muslims. He advocated respect for the feelings of the Hindus and appealed to the Muslims in the meeting held by the Muslim League to give up cow slaughter during Baqrid.
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Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari formulated the Indian National Pact along with Lala Lajpat Rai to prevent communal violence and conducted a Unity Conference in 1924 to bring harmony between the Hindus and Muslims. Once again, he conducted a Unity Conference on 27 October 1927 and appealed that religion should not interfere with politics.
He very actively participated in the Indian National Congress Sessions held on 27-28 July 1929, where he successfully tried to gather Muslims having national feelings on one platform. He founded the All India National Muslim Party and worked as its Treasurer.
When he became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1927 at the invitation of Mahatma Gandhi, he spent all of his wealth on the Indian National Congress activities, which left him almost bankrupt. He spent his later life in writing and developing the Jamia Milia Islamia. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari passed away on 10 May 1936.
