- At Moulana Azad’s 137th birth anniversary, he highlights education and unity
- Shabbir praises Muslim reservation success and CM Revanth Reddy’s new initiatives
Advisor to the Telangana Government and senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir urged people to revive Moulana Abul Kalam Azad’s ideals of unity, education, and empowerment during the National Education Day and Minorities Welfare Day celebrations held at Ravindra Bharathi on Tuesday. The event marked the 137th birth anniversary of India’s first Education Minister and eminent freedom fighter.
The programme was attended by Minorities Welfare Minister Md Azharuddin, Urdu Academy Chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, and several other heads of minority welfare institutions. On the occasion, the Moulana Abul Kalam Azad National Award, Makhdoom Award, and Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to various personalities for their notable contributions to education and community service.
Shabbir Ali described Moulana Azad as “a man far ahead of his time” who became the President of the Indian National Congress at just 35 and later led it through the Quit India Movement between 1940 and 1945. “He endured long imprisonment in British jails, including Ahmedabad Jail, using those years to write Ghubar-e-Khatir, one of the finest works of thought and faith,” he said. He questioned the RSS and BJP about their role in the freedom struggle, saying, “Can they show one leader who spent even a month in jail for India’s independence?”
He said that after Independence, Azad laid the foundation for India’s education system by launching the UGC, strengthening the IISc and CSIR, and establishing institutions like IIT Kharagpur. “Azad declared that education must be free and compulsory up to the age of 14, long before it became a constitutional right,” he said.
Recalling his tenure under Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Shabbir said the 4% Muslim reservation in 2004-05 was inspired by Azad’s ideals. “That single decision opened higher education and job opportunities for over 22 lakh poor Muslim youth. Many are now doctors, engineers, and civil servants,” he said. Citing current statistics, he added that 1,245 Muslim students joined medical courses this year under the same policy.
He appreciated Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s ‘Integrated Young India’ initiative, which proposes clusters of four schools for minorities, SCs, STs, and BCs on shared campuses to promote equality and unity. “This model of integration will strengthen brotherhood among future generations,” he said.
Commending the selection of Md Azharuddin as Minorities Welfare Minister, Shabbir expressed confidence in new welfare programmes. He concluded by emphasizing Azad’s values, saying, “The best tribute to Moulana Azad is to educate every child, empower every family, and build an India guided by justice and equality.”
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