The Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), condoled the demise of Dr. Syed Wajid Ali Naqvi, former faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), who passed away Sunday last.
Expressing a deep sense of grief at a condolence meeting of the staff and students of the Faculty of Medicine, the Dean, Prof. Mohammad Khalid conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Faculty members and students also prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength and patience to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
A proud Aligarian, Dr. Naqvi had a close association with AMU spanning several decades. He joined the University as an undergraduate student in 1954 and obtained his B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from AMU. He joined JNMC as a faculty member in 1965 and served until his retirement in 1996.
During his long association with the University, Dr. Naqvi held several academic and administrative responsibilities, including membership of the Academic Council, and served as Warden of Sir Syed Hall and Habib Hall, Acting Provost, Member of the Sports Council and President of the Gymnasium Club.
After his retirement from JNMC, he continued his academic association with medical education, serving on the faculty of ERA’s Lucknow Medical College & Hospital and Al Fateh Medical University, Tripoli, Libya.
The faculty members recalled Dr. Naqvi as a link between generations of Aligarians, having himself been an Aligarian and later becoming the father of four Aligarians. His long association with the University, both as a student and teacher, and his contributions to academic and residential life will be remembered with respect and affection.
source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University / Home / by Public Relations Office / August 11th, 2026
The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has approved its new Uttara Kannada district committee during a meeting held in Bhatkal. The proceedings of the meeting were conducted by advocate Syed Akmal Razvi, who addressed the gathering and spoke about the qualities required for effective leadership within the organisation.
The newly approved committee comprises Qamaruddin Mashaikh as President, Anam Ala as Vice President, Ismail Raja as General Secretary, Imdaad as Joint Secretary and Abud Asif as Treasurer.
In his address, Syed Akmal Razvi said fearlessness is one of the most important qualities expected from APCR leaders. He urged office bearers to work with courage while upholding the organisation’s principles and commitment to protecting civil rights.
He also advised members not to depend solely on verbal assurances or commitments from government authorities and officials. Instead, he said, all communications and commitments should be properly documented to ensure accountability and maintain official records.
Speaking about the nature of the organisation, Razvi said APCR functions as an independent body and is not bound by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. He added that Jamaat serves only as a sarparast (patron) and the organisation should continue to function independently in its work and decision-making.
He further asked members to protect their personal integrity and ensure that their conduct remains beyond question while carrying out organisational responsibilities.
Emphasising the need for unity, Razvi urged members to avoid internal conflicts within the community and instead work together towards common goals. He said differences should not weaken collective efforts for justice and the protection of civil rights.
The meeting concluded with the approval of the new district committee and a call for the office bearers to strengthen APCR’s activities across Uttara Kannada.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / August 01st, 2026
Professor Mohammad Mobin, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has been conferred the prestigious Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award for 2025 by the Indian Chemical Society (ICS), recognising his contributions to research, development and innovation in Chemical Sciences and Engineering.
The honour marks a significant achievement in Professor Mobin’s academic career and reflects his sustained efforts towards advancing scientific research and translating innovation into meaningful technological and societal applications.
In a communication dated August 14, 2026, Prof. G. D. Yadav, President, Indian Chemical Society, conveyed the Society’s appreciation of Professor Mobin’s distinguished professional accomplishments, which have enhanced the stature of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and contributed to the advancement of Indian chemical and allied industries and society.
As part of the recognition, Professor Mobin has been invited to deliver the Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award Endowment Lecture at the 63rd Annual Convention of Chemists (ACC 2026) of the Indian Chemical Society from December 14–16 at Graphic Era University, Dehradun.
Professor Mobin is presently serving as Vice Chancellor of Cluster University of Srinagar on deputation from AMU. His academic and research contributions span Chemical Sciences and Engineering, with particular emphasis on Materials and Corrosion, research innovation and technological development.
The Indian Chemical Society, one of India’s leading professional bodies in chemical sciences, has played a vital role in promoting chemical research, technology and industry while fostering collaboration among academia, research institutions and industry.
The Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award adds another distinguished recognition to Professor Mobin’s achievements and brings pride to AMU and the wider academic and scientific community.
source: http://www.indiaeducationdiary.in / India Education Diary / Home> Educational News> University News / by iednewsdesk / August 17th, 2026
The 679th Foundation Day of the Bahmani Empire was observed at the tomb of Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, the founder and first ruler of the Sultanate, in Kalaburagi city on Monday.
The event, organised by the Bahmani Foundation, brought together historians, artists, intellectuals and social activists, who recalled the contributions of the Bahmani Sultanate to the cultural and architectural heritage of the region during its nearly two-century rule from 1347 to 1527 AD.
Speaking on the occasion, advocate Jabbar Gola said the Bahmani rulers played an important role in promoting art, culture and architecture, leaving behind a rich legacy reflected in the monuments and traditions of the region.
Bahmani Foundation president Qazi Rizwan-Ur-Rahman Siddique said the organisation has been commemorating the Foundation Day for several years through seminars, cultural programmes and competitions aimed at creating awareness among students about the history and heritage of the Bahmani period.
Artists Mohammed Ayazuddin Patel and Rehaman Patel, Numismatist Mohammad Ismail and others were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / August 18th, 2026
A survey covering more than 30 colleges across seven districts linked with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University shows a significant rise in female Muslim students
New Delhi :
The number of Muslim girls pursuing higher education in Kanpur and nearby districts in Uttar Pradesh has increased significantly over the past five years, according to a survey conducted by a senior academic. The study shows that the share of Muslim female students in colleges has risen from around five per cent in 2021 to more than 21 per cent during the current admission process.
The survey was prepared by Prof B D Pandey, a senior teacher at PPN College and president of the Kanpur University Teachers’ Association (KUTA). The study was based on admission data collected from more than 30 colleges spread across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The colleges included in the survey are located in Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Unnao, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Etawah and Auraiya. All these colleges are affiliated with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur.
Prof Pandey said the data was collected from admission coordinators appointed in different colleges during the ongoing admission process. The survey looked at students enrolling in undergraduate courses such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and other professional programmes.
According to the findings, Muslim girls accounted for around five per cent of female students enrolled in colleges in 2021. This figure increased to nearly 12 per cent in 2023 and has now crossed 21 per cent during the latest admission cycle.
The rise indicates a growing interest among Muslim families in sending their daughters for higher education. The survey also highlights that many of these students come from economically weaker sections of society.
Prof Pandey said one of the notable findings was that a large number of Muslim girls entering higher education belong to families with limited financial resources. In many such families, sons are also present, but instead of continuing studies after school, they often move towards employment or skill-based work.
“Many Muslim girls who are entering graduation and postgraduate courses belong to families where their brothers have studied only up to high school or intermediate level and then started working according to their skills,” Prof Pandey said.
The data suggests a changing attitude among some Muslim families towards women’s education. While economic challenges continue to remain a concern, more families are now supporting their daughters’ efforts to continue their studies beyond school.
The increase has been visible across different courses, including traditional degree programmes and professional courses. Teachers associated with these colleges believe that awareness about education, career opportunities and financial independence may be among the reasons behind the rise.
The trend also reflects a wider change in the participation of women from minority communities in higher education. More young women are seeking college education to improve their career opportunities and become financially independent.
Prof Pandey said the increase in Muslim girls’ admissions is a positive development and shows that educational aspirations among families are changing.
The survey, however, does not represent all colleges across Uttar Pradesh or the entire Muslim community. It is based only on admission figures from selected colleges affiliated with CSJMU.
Education experts say that continued support through scholarships, better awareness programmes and improved access to colleges will be important to maintain this growth.
The increasing presence of Muslim girls in colleges in the Kanpur region shows a gradual shift in educational choices, with more young women from the community moving towards higher education despite economic and social challenges.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Big Story> India>Indian Muslims / by Mohammad Alamullah / August 04th, 2026
Sarah Sham, a fourth-generation Muslim entrepreneur from Mumbai and co-founder of Dubai-based luxury interior design firm Jea, has sparked widespread praise after sharing how she enforces strict work-life boundaries at her company, even at the cost of losing clients.
Sham, whose family business Essajees traces its roots back 130 years to her great-grandfather Abdul Kadir Essajee Sham, a trader of fine Iranian art tapestries, took to LinkedIn to outline the firm rules she applies across her design operations spanning 18 cities.
“We start at nine and close by six, five days a week. No weekend calls. No Sunday deadlines,” she wrote. “When a project runs behind, I hire another designer instead of asking my team to give up their weekend.”
Sham, a graduate of Art History from Duke and Oxford universities, admitted she once believed that good design required working through the night. Over time, she changed her approach after noticing that the best creative output came from well-rested designers, not exhausted ones.
“I started comparing creativity to a well instead of a tap,” she wrote. “Push too hard without rest, and it runs dry, no matter how skilled the person is.”
She acknowledged that the policy carried a real financial cost. Several clients left her firm in favour of teams willing to answer calls on weekends or work late nights. Sham chose to let them go rather than compromise her team’s working conditions.
“A tired designer does not run out of ideas all at once. The work slowly gets less interesting, and nobody notices until a client points it out,” she added.
Sham comes from a storied Muslim business family. Her ancestor Abdul Kadir Essajee Sham opened his Mumbai store in 1890, building a clientele that included Maharajas and royal families from India, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Today, Essajees serves a new generation of buyers including venture capitalists, consultants and young couples.
Her LinkedIn post drew strong responses from professionals across industries. Many praised her for holding firm on boundaries when revenue was on the line, calling her approach a model for sustainable creative work.
Sham co-founded Jea after serving as principal designer at Essajees Atelier for 12 years, carrying forward a family legacy built on craftsmanship, honesty and respect for the people behind the work.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features / by Radiance News Bureau / August 11th, 2026
A mass singing of Vande Mataram was organised on Friday at the Subsidiary Training Centre (STC) at Border Security Force (BSF) Bengaluru as part of the nationwide commemoration of 150 years of the national song. The programme was organised under the directions of the union Ministry of Home Affairs and the BSF headquarters Photo | Express
Bengaluru :
The list includes 18 police personnel: one selected for the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 17 for Meritorious Service.
The government will honour 22 personnel from Karnataka Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Home Guards and Civil Defence departments with service medals on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.
The list includes 18 police personnel, of whom one has been selected for the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 17 for the Medal for Meritorious Service (MMS).
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Central Crime Branch) HN Dharmendra has been selected for the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service. Two personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services – Regional Fire Officer Shivakumar Swamy H M and Assistant Fire Station Officer Basavaraju M – have been selected for the MSM.
Similarly, two Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel – Senior Platoon Commander Meerasab Maboob Sabmulla and Platoon Commander Raghavendram – have been selected for the MMS.
17 cops to get MMS
Sara Fathima, SP, Railways, Bengaluru
Thomas Mathew PM, Commandant, 9th Battalion, KSRP, Bengaluru,
T Mahadev, ACP, Southeast Traffic Sub-Division, Bengaluru City.
Pramanand P Ghodke, DySP , Raichur District
K Shanmuga Varma, Inspector, Police Training School, Mysuru
Bavuddin Rukmuddin Gaddekhar, Inspector, Malmaruti PS, Belagavi City
Guruprasad Gopal Nayak, Inspector, CID, Bengaluru
Nayeem M, Reserve Police Inspector, Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru
Srinivasa M, SI, KP Agrahara Police Station,
Mahadevaswamy, Head Constable, Vidhana Soudha Security
Mariya Joseph Dinesh Kumar, Head Constable, KSRP
Jnanadev Naval Tarase, Special ARSI, 3rd Battalion, KSRP, Bengaluru
Chandrashekar G Chikkanavar, SRHC, 4th Battalion, B’luru
Abdul Kamal Abdul Hameed,Head Constable, Tarikere Sub-Division, C’magaluru
Nagesh Manchayya, APC, CID, Bengaluru
SA Manohar, Police Constable, Hunsur Town Police Station, Mysuru District
Abdul Rabbani, Armed Police Constable, Chikkamagaluru
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 15th, 2026
Major (Retd) D.M. Nizamuddin, a respected former Indian Army officer, war veteran and long-time Treasurer of Bolar Juma Masjid, passed away on Monday. He was 86.
Born on October 6, 1939, Major Nizamuddin was the son of late D.M. Shamshuddin and a resident of Faiq House at Yemmekere Cross Road in Bolar, Mangaluru.
Major Nizamuddin had a distinguished career in the Indian Army and served the nation during the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1972. He sustained injuries while fighting in the 1972 war.
After retiring from the Army, he remained actively involved in community service. He served as the Treasurer of Bolar Juma Masjid for many years and was known for his commitment and sincerity in carrying out his responsibilities.
The mortal remains will be kept at his residence, Faiq House, Yemmekere Cross Road, Bolar, for the public to pay their last respects until 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
The Janazah (funeral prayers) and burial (Tadfeen) will be held after Duhr prayers on Tuesday at Bolar Juma Masjid.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / August 03rd, 2026
It is a great privilege for me to accept this honour from the Shah Waliullah Institute. Honestly, I was reluctant at first and had declined this recognition multiple times.
New Delhi :
In a momentous event, renowned Islamic scholar, author, senior journalist, and former Chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan, was awarded the prestigious Sixth Imam Shah Waliullah Award here on Monday. The ceremony took place amidst a distinguished seminar on the theme of ‘Epistles of Shah Waliullah’ at the Ghalib Institute here.
Jointly organized by the Shah Waliullah Institute and the Ghalib Institute, the seminar sought to celebrate and highlight the scholarly and intellectual legacy of Imam Shah Waliullah. A special highlight of the event was the launch of the tenth volume of his acclaimed series of epistles, offering attendees an intimate glimpse into his teachings and enduring contributions to Islamic sciences.
A diverse assembly of eminent scholars, intellectuals, and thinkers from across the country participated in the event, engaging in profound discussions about the contemporary relevance of Shah Waliullah’s message, writings and teachings.
Senior journalist Suhail Anjum introduced the Shah Waliullah Institute and provided an overview of the newly launched the tenth volume of Shah Waliullah’s epistles, sharing insights into the publication process, ongoing scholarly discussions and past and future programmes of the Shah Waliullah Institute.
Anjum also felicitated Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi highlighting his unwavering dedication to research and publish the scholarly legacy of Shah Waliullah. He highlighted Mufti Saheb’s long-standing scholarly pursuits, first as a teacher for fourteen years at the Dargah Shah Waliullah madrasah near Shah Waliullah’s shrine in Delhi’s Mehdiyan area.
During this period, Mufti Saheb developed a deep spiritual and intellectual bond with the great scholar, gaining profound insights into his contributions to Quranic sciences and other fields. Inspired by this connection, Mufti Saheb established the institute to make Shah Waliullah’s invaluable legacy accessible to all. Some of these writings were published long ago or still lie as manuscripts in libraries. Under this initiative, Mufti saheb has already published ten volumes of Shah Waliullah’s writings. The tenth volume of this series was released during the event.
Expressing humility and honour, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan said, “It is a great privilege for me to accept this honour from the Shah Waliullah Institute. Honestly, I was reluctant at first and had declined this recognition multiple times. However, I succumbed in the face of Mufti saheb’s insistence for a number of reasons. Paramount among these is my nearly forty-year-long association with Mufti Saheb, dating back to 1984 when I returned from abroad.
At that time I visited Mehdiyan and made a spiritual bond with Shah Waliullah and with Mufti saheb who at the time taught at the madrasah there. He said that another reason is that this award is associated with Shah Waliullah, the greatest Islamic scholar produced by India. In fact, he may be regarded as the greatest non-Arab Islamic scholar of all ages. He said that long ago he wrote a modest book in Arabic on Shah Waliullah trying to attract people’s attention to the ocean of knowledge which he was and remains till this day. He said that Shah Waliullah’s monumental work Hujjatullah al-Balighah stands out as an unparalleled masterpiece in the Islamic literature. It is printed, reprinted and studied in the Arab World till this day. Dr. Khan underscored the importance of Hujjatullah al-Balighah as a treasure trove that provides a deep, balanced and comprehensive understanding of Islamic sciences.
Dr Khan commended Mufti Saheb’s tireless efforts in unearthing and publishing many of Shah Waliullah’s manuscripts and texts that were hidden and forgotten. The current tenth volume stands as a testament to this scholarly dedication. He stated that his personal and scholarly bonds with Mufti Saheb and Shah Waliullah motivated him to accept this award. He added that there is a third reason for accepting the award and that is the fact that the award is given in recognition of the Glorious Quran, his translation of the Islamic holy text which tries to offer an authentic version of the Quran based on most authentic Arabic sources.
Dr Khan said there is a great responsibility on our shoulders: to try to understand and disseminate Shah Waliullah’s teachings and present them in modern language and style. Reflecting on Shah Waliullah’s revolutionary impact, Dr. Khan highlighted his translation of the Quran into Persian—a daring act at the time, which many scholars at the time considered a blasphemy. Even today, some argue that the Quran cannot be translated into any language. But if that was true, how would the 85% of Muslims outside the Arab world understand the divine message? Therefore, it is imperative that the Quran be translated into all languages—be it Assamese, Burmese, Chinese, or any other so that the common Muslim and non-Muslim could read and understand Allah’s last message to humanity. He pointed out that Western scholars, despite their scholarly rigour, often distorted the meanings of the Quran in their translations. Therefore, it is the duty of Islamic scholars to offer correct and accurate rendering of the divine text. Dr. Khan said he dedicated eleven years to accomplish his translation of the holy Islamic text. He said he fully devoted the three years during the COVID19 pandemic to complete this work. He regarded the award as a motivation to himself and all scholars to continue scholarly pursuits.
Mufti Ataur Rahman, chairman of the Shah Waliullah Institute, addressed the gathering sharing insights into how the idea of an institute dedicated to Shah Waliullah was conceived and narrated the journey since founding the institute. He took a moment to acknowledge the previous recipients of the Shah Waliullah Award: the first was given to Maulana Abdul Karim Parekh from Nagpur in 2007; the second and third to Maulana Akhlaq Hussain Qasmi and Maulana Faqihud-Din in 2010; the fourth to Maulana Muhammad Salim Qasmi in 2013; and the fifth to Maulana Qamaruz-Zaman Ilahabadi in 2014.
The event was enriched by the presence of distinguished speakers including Muhammad Adeeb, former Member of Parliament, Mr. Siraj Hussain, former vice chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, Justice Iqbal Ahmad Ansari, former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Prof. Khalid Mahmood and Khwaja Muhammad Shahid among others.
The proceedings were presided over by the chairman of the Ghalib Institute Prof. Siddiqur Rahman Kidwai who lauded Mufti Ataur-Rahman’s exemplary work and extended warm felicitations to Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan for his well-earned recognition.
source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> News> Community News / by Zillur-Rahman Haider / June 30th, 2026
EVERY year on August 15, India’s Prime Minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. It was at this same fort, in 1945, that Major General Shah Nawaz Khan stood trial for waging war against the British Empire. A Muslim officer in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army, he had led troops into battle against colonial forces across Southeast Asia, been captured, and was sentenced to death. His court-martial, alongside Colonel Prem Kumar Sehgal and Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, provoked mass protests across the country and became one of the final catalysts for British withdrawal from India. The slogan that echoed through the streets of Delhi became a rallying cry of the independence movement: “Lal Qile se aayi awaaz, Sehgal, Dhillon aur Shah Nawaz.”
After his release, Shah Nawaz Khan chose the path of non-violence at Mahatma Gandhi’s urging, joined the Indian National Congress, and went on to serve as a Union Minister for over two decades. He represented Meerut in Parliament through four terms, held portfolios ranging from Agriculture to Petroleum, and chaired the commission that investigated the circumstances of Netaji Bose’s death. He was buried near the Red Fort with full state honours in 1983.
Beyond politics, Shah Nawaz Khan was connected to one of India’s most recognizable families. The Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s father, Mir Taj Mohammed Khan, was his cousin and migrated from Pakistan to India alongside him after Partition.
His story traces an arc from armed resistance to democratic nation-building, from a death sentence in a colonial courtroom to the highest levels of Indian government.
Early Life and Military Career
General Shah Nawaz Khan was born on 24 January 1914 in the village of Matur, in the Rawalpindi District of British India (now in Pakistan). His father, Lieutenant Sardar Tikka Khan, served for nearly three decades in the British Indian Army with the 58th Vaughan’s Rifles (Frontier Force), instilling in him an early exposure to military life.
After completing his early education, Shah Nawaz Khan went on to study at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College in Dehradun, one of the premier institutions established to train future military leaders in colonial India.
From Prisoner of War to Leader of the Indian National Army
In 1940, Shah Nawaz Khan was commissioned as an officer in the British Indian Army. In December 1941, as part of the Second World War, Japanese forces launched a major offensive against Singapore, and the British deployed nearly 60,000 Indian soldiers, including Captain Shah Nawaz Khan.
The British forces were ultimately defeated, and Khan, along with thousands of other soldiers, was taken prisoner of war. During his captivity, he came into contact with Indian nationalists and revolutionaries aligned with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Deeply influenced by their vision of an independent India, he joined the Azad Hind Fauj, also known as the Indian National Army (INA), and rapidly rose to positions of leadership.
Role in the Freedom Struggle
Recognized for his leadership abilities, Shah Nawaz Khan was inducted into the cabinet of the Indian National Army’s (INA) Provisional Government of Free India. Between 1942 and 1945, the Azad Hind Fauj engaged British forces across Southeast Asia and, for a period, established control over large stretches of territory during its campaign against colonial rule.
In December 1944, he was appointed commander of the INA detachment stationed in Mandalay, Burma (now Myanmar). Owing to the close trust placed in him by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, he was later selected to lead the Subhas Brigade—a special unit formed from elite INA soldiers.
During military operations in Burma in 1945, General Shah Nawaz Khan and several of his comrades were arrested by British forces. The INA’s senior leadership at the time included Major General Shah Nawaz Khan, Colonel Prem Kumar Sehgal, and Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon. In 1946, all three were put on trial for mutiny at the Red Fort in Delhi.
These trials ignited widespread public protests across India and became a turning point in the independence movement, significantly intensifying popular resistance to British rule. Facing overwhelming public pressure, the British government was ultimately compelled to release Shah Nawaz Khan and his associates. During this period, he remained in contact with leading figures of the national movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, and was defended in court by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Gandhi’s Colonel of Non-Violence
General Shah Nawaz Khan was regarded as one of Mahatma Gandhi’s close associates, a relationship reflected in Gandhi’s letters and public speeches, in which he frequently referred to him by name. Their association symbolized the bridge between armed resistance and the philosophy of non-violence that shaped India’s independence movement.
On the occasion of the 50th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Shah Nawaz Khan declared, “While living outside India, we fought for our country’s freedom with arms; now we shall serve India through non-violence.” Mahatma Gandhi echoed this sentiment while addressing members of the Indian National Army in Madras on 22 January 1946 and later reiterated it during his prayer meeting in Mumbai on 18 February 1946.
Contemporary records further document their close interaction. According to a report in the Bombay Chronicle dated 13 March 1946, Shah Nawaz Khan met Gandhi at Birla Bhavan in Delhi on 12 March, where the two held discussions for nearly ninety minutes. On 22 March 1946, Gandhi visited a military camp in Aravalli Kanchan, Maharashtra, and once again mentioned Shah Nawaz Khan while addressing the soldiers. Their engagement continued through personal meetings as well as an exchange of letters, many of which survive as historical evidence of their dialogue.
At Gandhi’s urging, following the dissolution of the Indian National Army in 1946, Shah Nawaz Khan joined the Indian National Congress. Later that year, he worked in Bihar to assist victims of communal violence, alongside Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. He remained in the region during this period of unrest, and was present at the funeral of Professor Abdul Bari, who was assassinated in Bihar in March 1947.
Gandhi repeatedly acknowledged and praised Shah Nawaz Khan’s relief and peace-building efforts in Bihar during 1947. He spoke at length about Khan’s work during his prayer meetings on 29 April and 1 May 1947, and earlier, on 15 April 1947, the two were together at Gandhi’s camp in Patna. During one such conversation, Gandhi expressed his faith in him, saying: “I have great hopes for you. I wish to make you a complete soldier of non-violent weapons. You became a colonel under Netaji; in the same way, I want to make you a colonel of non-violence.”
Political Life After Independence
Even after India achieved independence in 1947, Shah Nawaz Khan continued to work in Masurhi, Bihar, focusing on relief and rehabilitation efforts. In a letter dated 7 October 1947, Mahatma Gandhi wrote to him: “Dear General Shah Nawaz, If the work you are doing there does not go to the dogs in your absence, you may leave it to go to the Punjab-Pakistan.” Despite this, Shah Nawaz Khan chose not to return to his ancestral home in what had become Pakistan; instead, his family migrated to India.
Shah Nawaz Khan entered electoral politics in independent India and was elected to the first Lok Sabha (India’s lower house of Parliament) in 1952 from Meerut, representing the Indian National Congress. He went on to win the same constituency in 1957, 1962, and 1971. Over the course of his political career, he served as a Union Minister for a total of 23 years.
Beginning in 1952, he served as Parliamentary Secretary and later as Deputy Minister for Railways. From 1957 to 1964, he held the portfolio of Food and Agriculture. He was again appointed Minister of Agriculture in 1965, followed by his tenure as Minister of Labour, Employment, and Rehabilitation in 1966. Between 1971 and 1975, he served as Minister for Petroleum and Chemicals, as well as Agriculture and Irrigation. From 1975 to 1977, he additionally served as Chairman of the Food Corporation of India while continuing as Union Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation.
In 1956, the Government of India constituted a commission to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Shah Nawaz Khan was appointed chairman of this commission, underscoring the trust placed in him by the national leadership. He also authored a memoir on the Indian National Army and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, regarded as an important firsthand account of the INA movement.
Representing the Meerut constituency for decades, Shah Nawaz Khan played a stabilizing role in public life, and the city remained free of major communal disturbances during his tenure. From 1977 to 1983, he served as the national in-charge of the Congress Seva Dal, the party’s volunteer organization. He remained associated with the Indian National Congress until the end of his life, continuing his commitment to public service and national unity.
General Shah Nawaz Khan passed away on 9 December 1983 while still serving the Indian National Congress. His life—spanning armed resistance, political leadership, and a steadfast commitment to unity and nation-building—remains a powerful testament to the ideals of freedom, sacrifice, and service. He is remembered not only as a soldier and statesman, but as a figure whose legacy continues to inspire generations in independent India and beyond.
— IAMC
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Opinion / by Afroz Alam Sahil / August 08th, 2026
