By RINA International Service
Though General Shah Nawaz of Azad Hind Army expired on December 9, Minority Cell of Meerut Congress Committee remembered him after a fortnight in connection with his 23rd death anniversary and paid tribute to the General. Presiding a meeting at party office at Budhana Gate, secretary of UP Congress, Chaudhary Yashpal Singh shed light on General’s life and activities. Zonal president of Minority Cell, Junaid Farooqui, however, condemned district administration for ignoring General Shah Nawaz who was closely related to Merut. Farooqui demanded renaming old Hapur crossing after General Shah Nawaz’s name.
Gen. Shah Nawaz was a close associate of Netaji Subhash Chander Bose and played an important role in the country’s freedom struggle. In independent India, he was elected Member of Parliament from Meerut’s Mawana constituency for four terms and also worked as railways minister in union government. His villa constructed in Mohall Amaliyan still speaks of his grandeur. Gen. Shah Nawaz was born on Jasnuary 24, 1916, in Munawwar village of Rawalpindi (Pakistan). He fought against British while in Azad Hind Army, for which a case was filed against him in Delhi’s Red Fort wherein he was awarded death sentence but after strong protest by the public, the punishment was changed to ‘Kala Pani’ (sentence in exile). In 1945, when he was released, he opted to live in India. With Nehru’s consent, he fought parliamentary election from Meerut in 1952 and secured a vote-margin greater than that of Nehru. He also won this seat in 1957, 1962 and 1971. He expired on December 9, 1983, following a heart attack. His grave is still present in Subhash Park, in front of Delhi’s Jama Masjid and beside Maulana Azad’s grave.