Syed Shahabuddin – Outstanding Voice of Muslim India
Publisher: P. A. Inamdar, “Daulat”, 963, New Nana Peth, Pune, India
Compiler: MushtaqueMadni
Price: Rs.400
Pages: 112+Memorablia
Year: 2013
Reviewed by MOHAMMAD NAUSHAD KHAN
The compiler and the publisher of the book, Syed Shahabuddin-Outstanding Voice of Muslim India have made tremendous efforts to summarisethe persona of a great Indian Muslim, Syed Shahabuddin, with the help ofthe people who were either associated with him or have known him for years or have been his admirers or even critics who were opposed to him on some points but still respected and admired him for his straightforwardness and clarity on issues as well as for his take on the various issues confronting the country and the community.
In order to present his multifaceted personality, the compiler approached some erudite and respected figures from different walks of life to share their views on and experiences with Syed Shahabuddin, in order to reveal what this great Indian is, what he stood for, how valuable he is for the Muslim community and what the community gained from him. The book is a compilation of articles, written on his different phases of life, his contribution towards the community and his stand on the various issues pertaining to the Muslim community. Syed Shahabuddin, with his vast experience as an IFS officer as well as an expert in constitutional law, parliamentarian, journalist, lawyer and social activist, was always eager to serve Muslims and was always determined to take on the system to ensure that respect and dignity of the people is protected.
Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari in his Foreword message has described him as a patriot to the core, wedded in letter and spirit to the Constitution of India.Motivated by the belief that selective justice leads to injustice, and propelled by an urge to rectify it meaningfully, Shahabuddin was led in his public life to seek avenues for furthering his quest. He achieved some success, aroused some understanding. His good deal of effort has been focused on the socio-economic problems of Indian Muslims and the resultant inequality traps. His firm believes and viewpoints on issues, regardless of consequence, distinguish him from his contemporaries.
Justice A.M. Ahmadi, former Chief Justice of India, has portrayed him as a Ghazi of social crusade who was made of solid stuff and under no circumstances would yield to pressure tactics. He always expressed his viewpoints without any prejudice. He was often accused of being a hardliner and extremist but in real sense he was neither. He was eager to know and look beyond what met the eyes and because of his firmness and fearlessness he was often mistaken to be a hardliner. On one issue where Justice Ahmadi felt that Syed Shahabuddin might have crossed the line was his intense involvement in Shah Bano case which to him was out of proportion.
Syed Shahabuddin has been described by Maulana Jalaluddin Umari, Amir, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind as a lustrous gem, whose contribution and commitment to the community is unquestionable. In his article, Amir, JIH has recalled one instance after the demolition of Babri Masjid when most of the Muslim leaders had confined themselves to the fourwalls, a delegation comprising Syed Shahabuddin, himself and many others led by Maulana Ali MianNadvi met then Prime Minister P V NarasimhaRao. What he observed during the meet that Syed Shahabuddin argued strongly with facts and figures which were at that point of time appreciated by one and all. To him, Shahabuddin was the only parliamentarian after EbrahimSulaimanSait and G.M.Banatwala to rise above party line to table Muslim issues in Parliament fearlessly and honestly.
According to Justice Rajinder Sachar, Syed Shahabuddin’s name became synonyms with BabriMosque because of his relentless effort in solving the issue. Sachar has written that there was a time when even intellectuals and secularists lost confidence in the law of the land and it was only Shahabuddin who kept on repeating to honour the court verdict because he was of firm belief that the Apex Court will reverse the High Court verdict. Sachar has also mentioned that during one his meetings with Shahabuddin he was asked by him to become a counsel for Babri Mosque, which in principle he was eager and ready but explained his limitations that it may not be possible because of the fact that he was involved in the issue on behalf of PUCL.
Dr SubramanianSwamy, president of Janata Party, has shared his experience when Syed Shahabuddin visited his house in the aftermath of communal riots in Meerut in 1987. At that point of time he was visibly upset and literally tears were rolling down his eyes. During the meet Shahabuddin shared with Swamy what he came to know and saw after his visit to Meerut where PAC picked up some 40 Muslim youths, took them by trucks and shot them one by one and threw their bodies into the Ganga. Swamy also visited Meerut along with Shahabuddin and was shocked to see that even after 10 days the dead bodies were still floating.
Dr Subhash C. Kashyap, a well-known constitutional expert, has penned down his thought that in most of the issues they discussed like educational philosophy, electoral and other political reforms, about the affairs of political parties in India, causes of backwardness of Muslim community both of them were on the same page during their discussion and if there was any difference of opinion on any subject they used to disagree respectfully.
ZafaryabJilani, a Lucknow-based High Court lawyer and social activist, has recalled what he had retained from Personal Law Board’s working committee meet on the next day when the gates of the Babri Mosque was unlocked. According to Jilani, Shahabuddin said that despite proclaimed democracy and secularism, he had started feeling that Muslims had become second class citizens in India.
Another notable figure of the Muslim community, Dr Zafarul Islam Khan, who is closely associated with Syed Shahabuddin and has watched him from very close quarters, has expressed his views that Syed Shahabuddin was not only an extraordinary and uncompromising leader but he was a great human being who practices what he preaches. He has described his persona as fearless and uncompromising, who was deeply committed towards all round development of the community.
Syed Shahabuddin has got well-wishers and admirers in and out of India and is also a revered figure among the Muslim fraternity in America. KaleemKawaja, a well-known and respected figure in the Muslim community in America, has said that Shahabuddin’s statements and writings were guided by authentic facts and figures and were not simply political campaigning and posturing. Yoginder Yadav, arenowned political scientist, has opined that Syed Shahabuddin thought of reservation even before Justice Sachar and RanganathMisra advocated reservation for Muslims. What is true that they just subscribed to what was earlier said and written by Shahabuddin. Further, he has said that a genius thinks long before others take up the issue.