Presence of a galaxy of dignitaries, including Vice President Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, many former cabinet ministers, several foreign secretaries, and many senior bureaucrats at the condolence meet at India Islamic Cultural Centre on 10 March, reminded the audience of the stature and persona of Syed Shahabuddin
Vice President Hamid Ansari, while addressing the audience in the jam-packed hall, said, “Syed Shahabuddin was a brave-hearted man. He was willing to sacrifice for the decisions he made. During his young age he was the one who dared to speak up boldly in public debates. He always used to speak his mind freely and frankly without any fear. A hard working man surely he was.”
The meet was jointly organised by India Islamic Cultural Centre, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat and his family members.
Former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, while recalling his meetings with him during the process of Sachar Committee report, said, “It is very difficult to imagine that he is no longer with us. We met in Peru when he was the ambassador. We were friends and interacted more. His life and work will live forever.” In a heavy tone, he added, “Those who knew him, his fragrance will remain with them. May his soul rest in peace.”
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while admiring his vision, said he never went to the top but he was contended and never complained for it. He was satisfied for what he was doing. “His articles used to look like research papers as they were always backed by facts and figures. He used to come up with issues of any community to actually uplift the people of the country. All he has earned is because of his work and dedication. The generations to come must learn from him. His documents and files must be digitalised,” he added.
Former Secretary Muchkund Dubey, who is an old friend of Syed Shahabuddin, right from college days, said: “It is very hard to stand here and speak about an old friend Shahabuddin. He was the topper of his batch. I was his senior by numbers but in all other matters of life he was the actual senior.” He said: “After winning the Kishanganj seat, he had decided to devote his life to the issues of Muslims and weaker sections. In a risky country like ours he was serving the cause of minorities.” He further added, “Shahabuddin never compromised his principles. He tops the tower of Muslim leaders and will remain so for decades to come.”
M.S. Gill, former Chief Election Commissioner, while recalling his earlier days, said, “I was his class mate. There was a spark in him, he used to go to any extent with great passion, he was different.”
“Through his ups and downs he always tried to keep above the waves. And he used to do it with his will because he never feared. Maybe because of his fakeeri attitude,” he said. “He left his foreign service because he had too much in him. He used to stick firm behind his ideas and wanted to tackle bigger issues. I know him from 1968 and I enjoyed his company and I believe he also did.”
JIH Ameer, Syed Jalaluddin Umari said, “His entire work was within the purview of Indian law and Constitution. He used to write and discuss matters with facts and figures. He could have enjoyed the luxury of his foreign service but he left it to serve his nation and her people. His last stage was at Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat and his dedication was remarkable. I have never seen any man as determined and focused like him. As per my information, the best history details are there in his files and documents which cannot be neglected.”
“Even if he was ill, he would be there at the office all the day. For the service of others he loved working there at all times. He also said without Muslim India the political history of India cannot be written.”
Former Cabinet Minister Salman Khursheed said, “I first met him through politics. He had good command over English as well as Urdu that created an impression of him around the world. When I came to visit him in Delhi, his name was all around this place. Slowly we became friends. Politics was way different from what it is now. In today’s political situation it is better Shahabuddin left us, because I don’t know what he would have done.”
He added: “Nowadays, the matter is discussed whether we are national or anti-national, but back then it was whether we should name the monthly journal as Muslim India or Indian Muslim.”
“He was an open-minded and brave-hearted person,” he said. “I remember the first attack on him was an article named ‘Shahabuddin’s dangerous politics’. He was a great personality in nation building. He used to handle his English journal ‘Muslim India’ single handedly, a very difficult task.” He added: “An era is gone because he is gone. A man with such integrity has done so much for the nation from which coming generations are to learn.”
Former Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha said, “He was the soul of India and was the guiding force behind my political carrier. He was my guide and mentor and I learnt a lot from him.”
John Dayal, social and human rights activist, correlated his college struggle with Kanhaiya Kumar and lauded his determination.
President of All India Muslim Mushawarat, Navaid Hamid said, “He was a clean, truthful and honest person. He was the last national Muslim leader of the country, just not a leader but the voice of the voiceless. We are planning to hold a meeting every year to remember his contributions. His documents will be the write-up of India’s history whenever the history of our nation will be searched. We are going to digitalise every document of Shahabuddin.” He also informed that Mushawarat auditorium will be named after him and his entire work will be preserved in a digitised manner.
Maulana Asghar Ali, during his condolence speech, said: “Every soul shall taste death. Wherever you are, howsoever you are; death will find you. Syed Sahab’s personality was globally known. Very rarely such a personality is born. Let’s pray to Allah that his soul enters the best levels of Jannah.”
Former CM of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Farooq Abdullah also shared his part during the meet. He said that he had that sweetness in him and people believed in him. He wrote true facts. He added: “My mom used to wait to see and read Muslim India because she knew this must be the real story based on facts. A lot of times he used to stop me and I knew it is his heart speaking.”