Shabbir Ali honours Azad’s ideals of learning and unity

Hyderabad: Congress leader and Government Advisor Shabbir Ali paid tribute to Moulana Abul Kalam Azad at a ceremony in Hyderabad, urging a renewed commitment to Azad’s ideals of learning, unity, and empowerment. The event, held at Ravindra Bharathi, marked both National Education Day and Minorities Welfare Day.

The programme was attended by Minister Md Azharuddin, Urdu Academy Chairman Taher Bin Hamdan, and several dignitaries. Awards recognising contributions to education and community development were presented during the event.

Azad’s role in freedom and nation-building

Recalling Azad’s service as India’s first Education Minister and a leading freedom fighter, Shabbir Ali noted that he led the Indian National Congress and spent nearly ten years in British prisons. During that time, Azad wrote Ghubar-e-Khatir, which reflected his deep spiritual and intellectual thoughts.

He criticised the BJP and RSS for trying to distort history, stating that those who never fought for independence could not claim patriotism. “True patriots are those who sacrificed for the nation, not those who rewrite history for politics,” he said.

Education reforms inspired by Azad’s ideals

Shabbir Ali highlighted Azad’s lasting impact on India’s education system, which included the establishment of institutions like the UGC and IITs. “Azad believed education must be free and universal. That principle still guides us today,” he said.

He added that the Congress government under Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy advanced Azad’s vision through the 4% Muslim reservation policy. This measure, according to him, benefited over 22 lakh students who later became doctors, engineers, and civil servants.

Furthermore, he said that several new colleges and professional institutions were opened under Congress rule, expanding access to higher education.

Continuing the path of inclusion

In addition, Shabbir Ali mentioned that recent recruitment drives had created more than 2,200 government jobs for minorities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. These included posts in education, health, and police departments.

Praising Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s ‘Integrated Young India’ initiative, he said its model of shared campuses would help strengthen social harmony. He also expressed confidence that Minorities Welfare Minister Md Azharuddin would expand inclusive programmes for minority welfare.

“Education is the key to progress,” Shabbir Ali concluded. “The most fitting tribute to Azad is to ensure that every child learns and every family grows through knowledge.”