A Beacon of Social Justice: Remembering Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, the Defender Who Lived for Others

Introduction

Those who know Zaheeruddin Ali Khan are finding it difficult to come to terms with the tragic loss of the affable man. Zaheeruddin was known for his passionate involvement in socio-political activities across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He also played an important role in the Telangana statehood movement. He was a defender of social justice and equality.

Passing of Zaheeruddin Ali Khan

Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, managing editor of The Siasat Daily, passed away due to cardiac arrest during poet-activist Gaddar’s funeral procession in Alwal on Monday, August 7.

Condolences from Telangana Chief Minister

Expressing his condolences, Telangana chief minister said that his untimely demise was an ‘irreparable loss’ to Urdu journalism. The CM recollected his association with Zaheeruddin Ali Khan and his role during the Telangana movement.

A Philanthropist and Advocate for Equality

• Khan was renowned for his philanthropic activities for the welfare and upliftment of marginalized communities across the country.
• He also worked to make all political parties accountable and did not shy away from vociferously criticizing their ‘wrongdoings’.

Condolences from Political Leaders

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief Revanth Reddy expressed shock and called the incident a “great loss to Telangana.”

Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy also expressed deep condolences over Zaheeruddin Ali Khan’s death.

Telangana home minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali extended condolences and said that Zaheeruddin Ali Khan constantly thought about the country’s progress.

Philanthropic Initiatives

1. Zaheeruddin donated Rs 4 crores to over 22,000 underprivileged students from Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and other states through his Siasat Millat Fund.
2. He took up several initiatives in 1994 under the Abid Ali Khan trust to ensure education and well-being of children from underprivileged sections of society.
3. In 1997, he established a minority development forum to help the needy living in slum areas and tied up with corporate hospitals to provide free healthcare to slum dwellers on a monthly basis.
4. He introduced vocational training courses for underprivileged women, providing them with training in tailoring, embroidery, and other affiliated vocations.
5. He set up spoken English classes, resulting in 1,800 youngsters securing jobs in various multinational companies.
6. He established Sukoon, an old-age home, in Vikarabad in 2002.
7. In 2007, he started an organization to ensure dowry-free marriages, solemnizing over 7,000 weddings under this initiative.
8. He actively assisted people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Remembering Zaheeruddin’s Advocacy Work

• Khan organized burials of unclaimed bodies of Muslims in Hyderabad.
• He worked for mobilizing help for victims of Hindutva assault and mob lynchings.
• He collected funds for the families of victims, including those of Nasir and Junaid, whose bodies were found charred inside a vehicle in Haryana’s Bhiwani in February 2023.
• He aided the victims of the 2017 Bihar floods and those affected by the Tripura violence in 2021.

Funeral Arrangements

According to the family, the funeral prayer of the deceased will be held after Fajr (early morning prayers) at Shahi Masjid, Public Gardens on Tuesday, August 8. He will be laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard, Aakhirat Manzil, Darrusalam road, Nampally.

Last Modified

This post was last modified on August 8, 2023 at 1:30 am.