My joy is like that of a labourer who goes to work in the morning and receives his wages the same evening,” said Ghafruddin Jogi Mewati, a traditional singer, who has been selected for this year’s Padam Shri award by the government of India.
Ghaffaruddin, 68, has showcased his art for more than half a century, from the rugged lanes of Mewat to the seven seas. As soon as the announcement of the coveted award poured in, Ghafruddin, a resident of Alwar, was overwhelmed with emotion.
Memories of him wandering barefoot through the villages of Mewat, playing the bhapang (A traditional string instrument) and begging for flour, flashed in his mind. Today, he feels that he has received the wages for all that hard work he did to keep a traditional art form alive.
He feels the Padam Shri is not just an honour for an individual, but for the centuries-old Mewati culture, the legacy of the Jogi community, and the rhythm of the bhapang, which is on the verge of extinction.
The Mewat region, which straddles the borders of Haryana and Rajasthan, possesses a unique identity as a syncretic culture.
Here, the Jogi community, who are Muslims, has, for generations, sung episodes from the Mahabharata and other folk tales.
#WATCH | Folk artist Gafruddin Mewati Jogi, awarded the Padma Shri in the field of art, said the honour marks the culmination of a lifelong struggle.
He recalled learning and preserving the art by travelling with his father, passing it on to others, and continuing the… pic.twitter.com/xiYDWTOqSQ— DD News (@DDNewslive) January 26, 2026
Ghafruddin is one of the strongest exponents of this tradition. He says, “Stay connected to your language, culture, and folk art; that is our true identity.” For him, this honour is a debt he owes to the soil of Mewat, which nurtured him during his days of struggle.
Born in Kaithwara village in the Deeg district of Rajasthan, Ghafruddin’s childhood was no less dramatic than a film script. His father, the late Budh Singh Jogi, was an accomplished artist. At the tender age of four, when children usually play with toys, his father placed a ‘bhapang’ in Ghaffaruddin’s hands.
The Bhapang, which resembles a small drum but has a single string, is considered an evolved form of Lord Shiva’s damru (a small hourglass-shaped drum). Playing it requires an extraordinary coordination of abdominal muscles, fingers, and vocal rhythm.
As a child, he learned by travelling from village to village with his father, sitting in village squares, and listening to folk tales.
They had to beg for grain and flour in villages to support the family. Those were difficult days, but the rhythm of the Bhapang never let him lose hope.
The most significant aspect of Gafruddin Jogi’s art is his rendition of the Mahabharata. Remarkably, a Muslim artist sings the epic of Lord Krishna and the Pandavas with such devotion and purity that the listener is completely captivated. Alwar and the surrounding areas are historically linked to ‘Viratnagar,’ where the Pandavas spent their period of exile.
When Gaffaruddin narrates these folk tales in the Mewati dialect, history comes alive. His art has proven that music and culture know no religious boundaries.
The year1992 marked a major turning point in his life. He travelled abroad and performed for the first time. There has been no looking back since then.
He carried the sound of Bhapang to over 60 countries, including England, Australia, Canada, France, and Dubai. When he played Mewati folk tunes at an event celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s birthday in London, even the foreign audience was captivated by the magical rhythm.
When the call on his mobile came, he initially thought someone was playing a prank on him, but when the news was confirmed, he was emotional. He dedicated the award to the Mewat region and the Jogi community.
#WATCH | Alwar, Rajasthan: On being conferred with the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of art, folk artist Gafruddin Mewati Jogi says, “I am very happy that the struggle of my life has finally yielded results, and I have received this recognition… For seven years, I went from… pic.twitter.com/66UQBRb4W5
Today, the eighth generation of his family is carrying on this art form. His son, Dr Shahrukh Khan Mewati Jogi, has not only learned music but also earned a PhD on the culture of Mewat. While many traditional art forms are fading away, Ghaffaruddin’s family is keeping this flame alive.
Ghafruddin Jogi Mewati wants to open a school for folk arts. He wants the government to provide him with land where he can teach the new generation the art of playing the Bhapang, Mewati folk singing, and their traditional stories.
He says that if the younger generation does not stay connected to its roots, we will lose our identity. He says receiving the Padma Shri is not the destination for him, but the beginning of a journey that he wants to continue until his last breath.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Younus Ali, Alwar / January 28th, 2026
The new Mumbai Municipal Corporation (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation 2026 or BMC 2026) to have 01 more Muslim corporator as compared to the community’s tally last time.
[Imran Pratapgarhi, Member of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra and National Chairman Congress Minority Department, leading a rally in support of Congress candidates in Mumbai]
BMC 2026 Final Result:
The new Mumbai Municipal Corporation (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation 2026 or BMC 2026) to have 01 more Muslim corporator as compared to the community’s tally last time.
A total of 29 Muslims from different parties had won the 2017 BMC elections. As against this, number of Muslims in the Mumbai Mahanagar Palika 2026 is 30, as per the final election result announced by the Maharashtra State Election Commission Saturday.
Of the total 30 Muslim Corporators who have won the 2026 Mumbai Municipal Corporation Elections the maximum 13 are from Congress, 07 are from Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), 03 each are from NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT), 02 are from Samajwadi Party (SP) and 02 each from Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Sharad Pawar).
List of Muslim Corporators in Mumbai Corporation
Following is the party-wise full list of Muslim corporators in Mumbai.
Muslim Corporators of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP Sharad Pawar)
30. Bushra Nadeem Captain Malik (Ward No. 170)
What is important is that the Muslim candidates have won the BMC 2026 elections from all parties – including Congress, AIMIM, Samajwadi Party, NCP (Ajit Pawar), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and also from Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray or UBT).
This is a clear message to the BJP, which because of its communal agenda and hate for Muslims does not give the party tickets to Muslims, and gives an excuse that the community does not vote for it.
Along with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), civic body elections were also held in 28 other corporations of Maharashtra.
As per the final result announced by the state election commission, out of the total 2,869 seats, the BJP has won 1,420 seats, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) 375, Congress 329, NCP (Ajit Pawar) 175, Shiv Sena (UBT) 160, AIMIM 125, NCP (Sharad Pawar) 40 and MNS just 13 seats. (The result of some seats have not been announced.)
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Maharashtra / by ummid.com news network / January 18th, 2026
The Museum of The Holy Quran in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah is showcasing a rare 18th century Quran calligraphed in India exemplifying Muslim devotion to the Holy Quran.
Makkah al Mukarramah:
The Museum of The Holy Quran in the Hira Cultural District of Makkah is showcasing a rare Quranic manuscript exemplifying Muslim devotion to the Holy Quran.
This museum-grade Quran, written on roll paper, was completed in India during the 12th century AH (the 18th century AD), Saudi Press Agency reported.
Featuring Naskh and Thuluth scripts, the manuscript displays artistic skill and precision. Its diverse orientations and unconventional styles showcase creativity in Quranic production.
Measuring approximately five meters in length and seven centimeters in width, the scroll is unique in shape and size, reflecting the ingenuity of Quranic craftsmen in maximizing narrow spaces for clarity and aesthetic appeal.
Part of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) collection, which houses a rich assortment of rare Islamic artifacts, this manuscript’s display at the Holy Quran Museum is part of a cultural partnership with KFCRIS.
This initiative is aimed at enriching visitors’ intellectual experience and providing access to unique examples of Islamic heritage.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Life & Style / by ummid.com news network / January 21st, 2026
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid his last respects to Hazrat Maulana Sagheerr Ahmed Khan Rashadi, Amir-e-Shariat of Karnataka and rector of Darul Uloom Sabilur Rashad, expressing deep grief over his passing. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for strength and patience during the period of mourning.
Recalling the life and work of the late scholar, the Chief Minister said Maulana Rashadi devoted his entire life to Islamic education, moral guidance, and the cause of communal harmony. He described him as a respected religious scholar and social leader whose influence reached far beyond classrooms and institutions. According to Siddaramaiah, the Maulana’s scholarship and counsel shaped generations of students and earned respect across religious and social communities.
Several senior leaders and officials attended the prayers, including Ministers K J George and Zameer Ahmed, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed, and Additional Chief Secretary Anjum Pervez. Their presence underlined the regard held for the late Maulana within the administration and public life.
Community leaders also joined the gathering. Among them were Dr Belgami Mohammed Sa’ad, state president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka, Maulana Ifteqar Qasmi, president of Jamiat ul Ulema Karnataka, along with scholars and representatives from different walks of life.
The mortal remains of Maulana Sagheerr Ahmed Khan Rashadi were laid to rest at the burial ground within the Darul Uloom Sabilur Rashad campus.
The funeral prayer drew thousands of students from across Karnataka, fellow scholars, and members of the public.
His son, Maulana Zubair Ahmed Khan, led the prayer in an atmosphere marked by grief and reverence.
Speakers described the late Maulana as a symbol of knowledge, humility, and lifelong service whose legacy will guide future generations.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / January 14th, 2026
A meeting of the Pharmacy Wing of All India Unani Tibbi Congress (AIUTC), New Delhi, was held under the chairmanship of Hakim Arbabuddin (Sadar Dawakhana), at the clinic of Hakim Uzair Baqai in Daryaganj here.
Addressing the meeting, the Secretary General of All India Unani Tibbi Congress, Dr. Syed Ahmad Khan, emphasised that classical medicines should be used as much as possible in clinical practice. He also stressed that Unani pharmaceutical institutions must ensure that Urdu is printed on the packaging of medicines, as Urdu and Unani medicine are inseparable. He said that Urdu is the identity of Unani medicine and a matter of pride for India. He further stated that Urdu originated and flourished in India, and therefore there is a need to remain sensitive towards the language. He added that Unani medicine is in its best condition in India, and today India is the global leader in this field.
On the occasion, preparations for the World Unani Medicine Day programme scheduled to be held in Lucknow on February 12 were reviewed.
Prominent participants in the meeting included Dr. Zakiuddin, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Meerathi, Dr. Ghiyasuddin Siddiqui, Dr. Mufti Javed Anwar, Dr. Mirza Asif Beg, Dr. Faheem Malik, Hakim Naeem Raza, Hakim Mohammad Murtaza Dehlvi, Israr Ahmad Ujjaini, and Mohammad Imran Qanooji, among others.
The vote of thanks was presented by Hakim Uzair Baqai, National General Secretary of the Pharmacy Wing of the All India Unani Tibbi Congress.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / January 14th, 2026
Parvez Suleman Lakdawala, founder CEO, Grace Group of Companies
Mumbai :
Mumbai-based real estate developer Parvez Suleman Lakdawala, who has played a significant role in building homes for slum dwellers, has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sorbonne of France at the British Parliament for his extraordinary work in real estate and housing infrastructure particularly in slum redevelopment, over the last three decades.
He was given this award during the ‘Sorbonne International Convention’ held at the ‘House of Lords’ in London by the French higher education institution ‘Ecole Supérieure Robert de Sorbonne.’
Speaking about the honour, he said, “I never even dreamt that I would receive such an honour.”
This institution is known worldwide for granting degrees based on professional experience. Speaking after accepting the honorary degree, Lakdawala said, “This is a global success for the slum rehabilitation work I have done through SRA schemes. I have been in this business for 30 years and have completed the construction of 32 buildings so far.”
Parvez Lakdawala was born into poverty in a small hutment in Bandra when conditions in the slums were sub-human, and the residents had to struggle for basic amenities like water.
Parvez recalls that there was a filthy settlement outside his house, and the condition of the household was very poor. For children living in such conditions, even dreaming big was considered a crime.
However, Parvez never let his poverty weaken his resolve to rise above his circumstances.
Despite the fear of dropping out due to poverty, Parvez held onto his education. Studying while living in a slum, he completed his education. Not many know that Parvez Lakdawala, the successful businessman, is a law graduate.
The law gave him discipline in life and the knowledge to fight against injustice. He often says that he prospered in life only because of education.
In 1989, he laid the foundation of the Grace Group of Companies and started working in the real estate sector.
Sorbonne University campus
Around 1995, he worked for the Slum Rehabilitation Authority of Mumbai (SRA) to provide highly subsidized apartments to slum dwellers. At that time, not many builders were willing to work there. Today, he has completed projects of more than 32 grand buildings in Mumbai.
He gave a new face to the homes of the poor by implementing new designs, modern amenities, and innovative concepts.
Earning money was never his sole aim. Having experienced poverty, he empathized with the poor. That is how he bears the educational expenses of thousands of poor children. For parents who cannot afford to pay their children’s school or college fees, Parvez Lakdawala has become a ray of hope. “Allah has given to me so that I can give it back to society,” he says.
During the Corona lockdown, when the entire country was under the shadow of fear, Parvez Lakdawala was working in the streets.
Thousands of labourers with their small children were walking towards their villages. Parvez arranged for vehicles and buses for them. He transported more than 3000 people to their homes.
He also ensured the travelers got food and water. For this work, he received appreciation not only from Mumbai but also from states like Rajasthan.
In a city like Mumbai, where even dreaming of a home is a luxury, Parvez Lakdawala has helped thousands of families get their rightful homes. His journey builds buildings worth crores today, starting from a 250-square-foot house.
The most important aspect of Parvez Lakdawala’s work is the self-respect he has given to the common man. Recalling old memories, he says, “Earlier, people living in slums used to feel ashamed about their address. They regretted their living conditions. Today, when the same people enter flats equipped with all amenities, they proudly disclose their address to others. Giving them the property they deserve and a sense of security gives me the most joy.”
Parvez Lakdawala’s mantra is: Your intention is more important than your destiny. If your intention is good, God comes to your aid and grants you success.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by ATV / posted by Aasha Khosa / January 09th, 2026
Coming from a small town and making a mark on the national scene, writer-journalist Tasneem Khan brings women’s concerns to the forefront through her journalism and literature. Her narratives are sensitive, clear, and attempt to offer solutions. Her writing and television programmes do more than narrate women’s struggles; they challenge social mindsets and inspire change.
Here are excerpts from an exclusive conversation with her:
Let’s begin with Bwalistan. What is it about?
Bwalistan is a collection of stories rooted in Rajasthan, particularly its desert life. These stories belong to a distinct literary tradition that deeply portrays the complexities and struggles of life in the Thar Desert. Rajasthan’s desert is not just a physical landscape—it is defined by its people, culture, traditions, and way of life, all of which give it a unique identity.
Coming from a small town, it isn’t easy to make a mark in journalism and literature. How did your journey begin?
A: It’s true that paths have never been easy for women. I come from Didwana tehsil in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district. Though I grew up in a small town, my parents were educated, and our home had a culture of reading and learning. My mother’s love for books shaped me deeply. Growing up among books sharpened my ability to think, debate, and reason. I also won several awards during my school and college years.
When did you choose journalism as a career?
I formally entered journalism in 2005. From the very beginning, I was drawn to women-centric issues. I consistently wrote on gender sensitivity, domestic violence, and women’s social rights. For me, journalism is not just about reporting news; it is about engaging in dialogue with society.
Your television programmes gained special recognition. Could you tell us about them?
A: I hosted a programme called Samar Shesh Hai, which discussed women’s social and political concerns. Later, my regular show on Patrika TV, Aadhi Duniya, Poori Baat – with Tasneem Khan, became quite popular. The aim was to present women not merely as victims, but as thinking, reasoning individuals.
For which report did you recently receive the Ladli Media Award?
I received the award for my show “When Will Domestic Violence Go into Lockdown?”, presented by Population First and UNFPA. The jury felt the report exposed a harsh truththat during lockdown, women faced another terrifying pandemic inside their homes: domestic violence.
Your writing focuses less on complaints and more on solutions. How did this approach develop?
I don’t want to merely describe women’s pain. I believe writing should point toward solutions. If even one woman finds a way forward through my work, I would consider my life meaningful.
You began novel writing in 2015. How special is Mere Rehnuma to you?
A: Mere Rehnuma is extremely close to my heart. Published by the Jnanpith Trust, it was selected in a young writers’ competition. I became the second woman writer from Rajasthan whose debut novel was published by Jnanpith. Through this novel, I tried to establish that women’s empowerment cannot come through financial independence alone without a change in social mindset, empowerment remains incomplete.
Research has been conducted on this novel. How did that feel?
A: It was a matter of great pride that Mere Rehnuma became the subject of PhD and MPhil research. It reaffirmed my belief that my writing has connected at both academic and social levels.
Could you tell us about your other works and awards?
A: My short story collection Dastaan-e-Hazrat Mahal was published in 2019 and earned me the Chandrabai Award. In 2021, I received the Shakuntalam Award from the Rajasthan Progressive Writers’ Association. My stories have been translated into several languages. Rukh-e-Gulzar was translated by the Indian Translation Council, while The Blue of Silence was published in a Pakistani Urdu magazine and won the Mirror Award. My story My Share of Moonlight will soon appear in a collection by Oxford University Press.
What is your writing process like?
I observe people around me very closely their characters, pain, and struggles shake me from within. Until that restlessness finds words, I find no peace. That unrest gives birth to my stories.
What role did your parents play in your life?
My parents have been my greatest support. At difficult turns, they always encouraged me. I firmly believe parents’ education plays a decisive role in shaping a child’s future. I have seen many girls unable to move ahead simply because their parents did not value education.
The heroine of Mere Rehnuma is in search of liberation. How do you view this liberation?
A: For me, liberation is not just personal; it is social. Until society learns to accept strong women, their freedom will remain incomplete. If my writing can guide even one woman in this direction, that will be my greatest achievement.
You recently interacted with readers during the ‘Chaturang #LockdownLive’ session on Facebook. How was that experience?
The Rajasthan Forum organised the session. I spoke openly about my education, career, and literary journey. I emphasised that becoming a writer requires years of preparation, deep reading, and psychological analysis of society. I also read excerpts from my novel Ai Mere Rehnuma. The interaction was deeply personal and immensely inspiring for me.
Tasneem Khan’s journey shows how words, when driven by empathy and purpose, can challenge patriarchy, reshape thought, and quietly spark a revolution, one story at a time.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Onika Maheshwari, New Delhi / January 19th, 2026
Manjit Thakur, Director of the Kayamkhani Bravehearts
New Delhi :
“There is no Kayamkhani who has been hit with bullets in his back,” says a veteran of the Indian Army, who like many others of his community have dedicated his life to uniform, discipline, and service to the nation.
This documentary, Kayamkhani Bravehearts is the saga of the Kayamkhani, a Muslim community from Rajasthan, whose first preference for a career is military or Police and who consider service to the nation as a matter of pride and responsibility. For them, patriotism is not just a slogan, but a tradition passed down through generations. The documentary is documentation of the story of these valiant sons of the soil who defended the country at the border, faced enemy bullets head-on, and who consider martyrdom an honour.
The first glimpse of the documentary, a 33-second teaser, is enough to send shivers down the spines of viewers. The teaser suggests that this film will not merely be a presentation of facts but an experience steeped in emotion, sacrifice, and patriotism. Watching it, viewers will not only be filled with pride but will also be compelled to understand that in defending the nation, only duty matters, not religion.
The history of the Kayamkhani Muslim community of Rajasthan is replete with valour, discipline, and service to the nation. Almost every family in this community has been connected to the armed forces in some way. The dream of the youth here is not to become a big businessman or an officer in a high-ranking government position, but to serve their motherland by joining the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, or the police.
Watch the teaser here:
Manjit Thakur, director and screenwriter of the documentary, states that soldiers from the Kayamkhani community have so far earned four Shaurya Chakras, 18 Sena Medals, and five Vishisht Seva Medals.These figures would be a source of pride for any community, but for the Kayamkhanis, they represent not just honour, but a symbol of responsibility.When it comes to sacrifice, this community has not lagged.
In Danduri village, which is now known as the “village of soldiers,” 18 Kayamkhani Muslims were martyred for the country. Similarly, 10 martyrs each from Jhajhot and Nua villages also laid down their lives for their motherland. These figures are not just numbers, but represent the tears of those mothers, the pride of those families, and the essence of the soil that gave birth to such brave sons.
The documentary presents the stories of these martyrs in a deeply sensitive and impactful manner. The camerawork, editing, and graphics are of a high standard, emotionally connecting the viewers to the narrative. Research, hard work, and authenticity are evident in every frame.
Before making this documentary, the Awaz-The Voice team conducted comprehensive research. Under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Atir Khan, the team spent a long time researching, delving into history, and understanding the ground realities. The documentary was shot over several days in different villages of Rajasthan. The filming continued late into the night to present the true lifestyle, struggles, and pride of this community to the world.
The documentary also reveals several surprising facts. For example, Kayamkhani Muslims consider cows their most valuable asset and cannot even imagine harming them. This fact shatters the stereotypes that are often formed in society without proper understanding.
Manjit Thakur recounts that when the team arrived in the Kaimkhani villages, they were welcomed with a sense of pride and warmth. The villagers not only welcomed them wholeheartedly but also openly shared their stories, pain, and pride. This trust became the soul of the documentary.
Speaking about the documentary’s objective, Atir Khan sais that in today’s world, negativity has become the unique selling proposition of news. In this environment, Awaz-The Voice is the sole platform which brings forth positive stories of cooperation, and peaceful coexistence from India and around the world.
Awaz team with locals in a Rajasthan Village
He believes that beyond the walls of faith, caste, region, and language, Indians have many shared concerns, challenges, and dreams for the future that have the potential to bring people and communities together. Awaz-The Voice’s content promotes progressive, positive, and nation-building ideas not only in India but also among Muslim communities abroad.
This documentary is an extension of that very idea—an attempt to amplify the voice of true patriotism, a voice often drowned out by the noise of hatred. This film reminds us that the uniform has no religion, and every drop of blood shed for the country is purely Indian.
On release, this documentary will undoubtedly not only move viewers but also make them think, feel proud and energise them to serve the nation. This is not just the story of the Kayamkhani community, but the story of an India where the country comes first.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Manjit Thakur / posted by Aasha Khosa, ATV / January 17th, 2026
Kanathil Jameela, CPI(M) leader and sitting MLA of Koyilandy, passed away late on Saturday at a private hospital in Kozhikode. She was 59.
Jameela, who had been undergoing treatment for cancer, was admitted to the intensive care unit earlier this week. Hospital authorities confirmed that she died around 11.30 pm.
An MLA, former district panchayat president, and one of the most prominent women leaders of the CPI(M) in Kozhikode, Jameela had a long public life that spanned local governance, women’s mobilisation, and welfare work.
During her administrative tenure, she oversaw several notable programmes, including Snehasparsham for kidney patients, a cancer screening drive for women, the KARUNA initiative for humane stray-dog management, a mission to end landlessness, and schemes promoting sports and education.
Jameela had been a district committee member of the CPI(M). She was also the State vice-president of the All-India Democratic Women’s Association.
The CPI(M) state leadership condoled her death, calling it an “irreparable loss.”
Jameela made active interventions in issues concerning the people, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. As a leader of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, she was keen to bring to the fore issues concerning women. She garnered respect for her simplicity and friendship across party lines, Vijayan said.
Leaders across parties also issued statements remembering her as an accessible and grounded representative of the coastal constituency.
According to party sources, Jameela’s body will be taken to her residence today. Public homage will be held at the CPI(M) district committee office in Kozhikode and later at the Koyilandy Town Hall.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> India / by Maktoob Staff / November 30th, 2025
42-year-old Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui, who was a death row convict for nearly a decade before being acquitted by the Bombay high court earlier this month, reflects on time in prison.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
A tiny 80-square-feet room, fitted inside a compact V-shaped enclosure known as the phansi yard (gallows yard) of Nagpur Central Prison, served as “home” for 42-year-old Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui for nearly a decade. In 2015, soon after a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court sentenced 12 individuals – five men, including Siddiqui, to death, and the remaining seven to life imprisonment – in the 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts case, he was transferred to Nagpur jail.
All 12 men were acquitted by the Bombay high court on July 21.
Siddiqui describes his decade-long solitary confinement as a place that made him feel “safe.” “In the existing political atmosphere, especially as Muslim men convicted on terror charges, this isolation was the only way we could have stayed safe in jail,” he feels.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
An incarceration spanning two decades
Reflecting on his two decades of incarceration – nine years as an undertrial prisoner in Mumbai and then as a death row convict in Nagpur – Siddiqui says that while the trial took nearly a decade, the transition from undertrial to death row prisoner was “quite sudden.”
“One minute, we were jostling for space in the overcrowded prison barracks in Mumbai (until the lower court’s verdict), and suddenly, we were thrown into solitary confinement. It was a very small room but it was still ours. It had an attached bathroom, a ceiling fan and a tubelight,” he says, describing the prison room.
Solitary confinement in India is unconstitutional. Even for death row convicts, it is permissible only after their mercy petition is rejected by the President of India. In the serial train blasts case, the death penalty had not yet been confirmed by the High Court but they were still subjected to solitary confinement. “But none of this really matters. It’s a common practice. The moment a person is given a death sentence, the prison authorities transfer them into the phansi yard,” Siddiqui says, as he recalls the names of many death row convicts housed in the 30 tiny solitary cells near his.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
“Many lacked proper legal representation and were simply abandoned here after the trial court imposed a death sentence. They would arrive here horrified, thinking this was where they would be hanged the very moment they reached there.”
It became almost a duty of other death row convicts like Siddiqui to explain legal procedures, offer advice, and calm newcomers in the phansi yard. Siddiqui says he saw many come and go over those ten years. “Almost all were eventually acquitted in their appeals before higher courts,” he points out.
Siddiqui’s observation is in sync with different studies on the Indian judicial system and capital punishment. The Death Penalty reports that the NLU- Delhi’s Project 39A (now renamed as The Square Circle Clinic after it shifted its base to NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad), a criminal justice research and legal aid programme released every year has long established the pattern of death penalties getting either commuted to life or lesser punishment or in many cases, simply ending up in acquittals.
Siddiqui recalls his interactions with five men from the Shinde family, who were sentenced to death by a trial court in a rape and murder case, only to be later acquitted by the Supreme Court. The Shindes, from a Nomadic Tribal community, endured 16 years of incarceration, 13 as death row convicts.
“They would keep asking me what I thought of their case, and I would keep reassuring them they’d be out soon. That simple fact made them so happy.” The Shindes were acquitted in 2019 following a strongly worded Supreme Court judgment. Among them, Ankush Maruti Shinde, was only 17, a minor, at the time of his arrest.
Experienced sustained physical torture
Siddiqui says the hope that their innocence would eventually be proven kept them going. “We too survived prison life on that one hope. After all, how long could justice evade us?” he asks.
Siddiqui experienced both extremes of prison life: sustained physical torture in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail (complaints about which led to the transfer of the then-jail superintendent, Swati Sathe) and a relatively calmer existence with better food and living conditions in Nagpur. “I’m not romanticising prison life, but Nagpur’s prison was certainly a lot better. Which also means prisons can be made liveable if one wished,” he says.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
But his co-defendant Kamal Ansari’s death during the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2021 shook him. “Everyone around us was falling sick. Kamal fell sick and was moved to the hospital ward. He never returned.”
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
Siddiqui says most of the men implicated in the case were unknown to him at the time of arrest. “But as circumstances brought us together, we eventually became each others’ support system,” he adds. The police and jail officials, he claims, tried hard to turn them against each other. “And the frustration does eventually get to you. So, each time we reached a point of anger or frustration against each other, we would simply stop talking. That helped us cool off, and rework on our relationship,” he shares.
Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui with his father at their family house in Jaunpur. Photo: By arrangement
In Nagpur, Siddiqui had no trouble accessing writing materials. So he wrote extensively. His book, Horror Saga, which details his prison life and the botched up trial, was published last year. He has a manuscript ready for his next book. He has also translated several others while incarcerated.
How did he access books and research materials in jail? “I deviced a unique method,” he says, with a sense of pride. Siddiqui filed nearly 6,000 Right to Information (RTI) applications over two decades, primarily to gather evidence against the investigating agency, which helped debunk the police’s case, and also to access books published by the government press.
Earned over 20 degrees while in prison
A college dropout at the time of his arrest, Siddiqui has since earned over 20 degrees, including several Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Diplomas. In 2001, while in his third year of a Chemical Engineering program, he was arrested for a few days for alleged involvement with the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), an organisation banned that year, leading to the overnight criminalisation of many men from the Muslim community.
Since then, Siddiqui says he tried several times to complete his education and earn a formal degree, but it didn’t happen. “So, in jail, I made full use of the time to gain as many degrees as I could,” he shares.
As strange as it may sound, among the first undergraduate degrees that Siddiqui enrolled himself was Tourism. “I wanted to keep my brain stimulated somehow and not let the incarceration consume me. So, I went on this rage of enrolling myself for every opportunity that was made available,” he recalls. He knew how to read Urdu, Arabic but didn’t possess a formal degree.
“So, I got one while in jail.” Siddiqui, who worked as a Desktop Publishing (DTP) operator as a local publishing house in Mumbai, now holds an MBA degree, master’s degrees in English Literature, Sociology, Marketing, and Financial Management, and diplomas in Nutrition and Mass Communication, among others. He is in the final semester of a three-year law degree.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
If not studying, Siddiqui would take care of the small garden outside the barrack. “Those plants were the only pretty thing to look at,” Siddiqui laughs. The prison rules don’t allow assignment of any work to a death row convict. Which means, even though Siddiqui worked, he was not paid for his labour.
According to the Maharashtra state’s revised prison rules, a convicted prisoner is paid up to Rs. 65 per day, although a paltry sum and much lower than the minimum wages standards, yet some money that most incarcerated people look forward to to lead a dignified life in jail or to take back home at the end of their jail term.
Having spent nearly two decades in different prisons of Maharashtra, Siddiqui says the level of surveillance is “simply unnerving” now. “You will find hundreds of cameras loom overhead. Even a slight movement for exercise inside your barrack is instantly tracked, and jail officials confront you with a barrage of questions,’ he says.” Surveillance doesn’t stop here.
Abdul Wahid Shaikh, one of 13 arrested in this case and acquitted in 2015, and several other terror accused have had to install multiple CCTVs inside and outside their homes to simply shield themselves from police harassment.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
‘Since release, every experience feels new’
On July 21, when the high court acquitted the 12 men, their release orders were immediately executed – an unusual move. In many cases, even after the court order reaches jail authorities, releases are delayed, just to allow the state to file an appeal in the higher court. “Maybe they just wanted us out. The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, stating before the Supreme Court that the state no longer wanted us in jail is quite telling,” Siddiqui points out.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
Since his release, every experience feels “new,” Siddiqui says. He and his co-defendant, Shaikh Mohammed Ali Alam Shaikh, boarded a flight from Nagpur to Mumbai. “Hairaan kar diya Mohammed Ali ne (Mohammed Ali exhausted me),” he laughingly shares, as he narrates the experience of tasting freedom for the first time in two decades. “He was so excited he simply couldn’t stop talking. I worried his chatter would draw attention. I told him, ‘Bhai, agle ek ghanta shaant rehna (Brother, stay calm for the next hour).”
At Mumbai airport, they were met by a media frenzy. “We didn’t know how to handle this sudden attention; the last time we experienced anything like this was two decades ago at the time of our arrest,” Siddiqui says. In Mumbai, they had the chance to take a train to reach the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (an organisation that provided legal aid to the men all along) office but chose not to. When asked why, Siddiqui pauses but says nothing.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
At the time of his arrest, Siddiqui lived in Mira Road, but he now stays with his family in Younuspur, Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh, where his parents, four siblings, and, most importantly, his wife, Sabina, reside. Siddiqui and Sabina were married for less than a year at the time of his arrest in 2006. Siddiqui was only 23 at the time of his arrest, Sabina even younger.
‘She stood by me, and my parents cared for her as their own’
“In those 19 years, I must have told her many times this could be an endless wait and that I wouldn’t hold it against her if she sought a divorce. But she was steadfast. She stood by me, and my parents cared for her as their own,” Siddiqui says. He calls Sabina the “real hero” of his story. “Her resilience and trust in me was so deep.I can’t express my gratitude enough,” he tells The Wire.
Returning to Younuspur was an emotional homecoming. “When I got home, we just cried. We barely talked; we just cried for many hours.” Relatives and well-wishers have been visiting non-stop. “I don’t recall most faces, but it would be rude to say so, so I simply nod. When I was behind bars, these individuals offered support and solidarity to my family. Now they are here again to celebrate my freedom. It’s all too surreal,” he says.
Siddiqui might have returned with close to two dozen degrees, but the future still looks “uncertain,” he admits. “Finding a job might not be possible. Maybe I will consider pursuing a legal profession,” he thinks aloud. But for now, he says he wants to just return to writing those many stories he has. “The ones I’ve safely kept locked inside me for so many years.”
source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> English>Rights / by Sukanya Shantha / July 27th, 2025
