By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Hyderabad: Basheeruddin Babu Khan well known, politician, businessman, philanthropist, educationist and minority rights activist, passed away after a prolonged illness at his residence on Sunday morning 11: A.M.
Mr. Babukhan was elected as MLA twice, in 1985 and 1994; he held cabinet portfolios of Higher Education, Major Industries, Tourism & Minorities Welfare during 1989 and 1994-1998.
Basheeruddin Babu Khan
Mr. Basheeruddin Babu Khan gained huge respect among Muslim community when he resigned as Minister protesting Telugu Desam Party support to BJP Government at Centre in 1998.
It was on May 30, 1998, when Mr. Basheeruddin Babu Khan resigned from the cabinet of than chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Khan made this important symbolic protest within 24 hours after the Telugu Desam Party bailed out the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government at the Centre during the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha.
His bold issued statement against his own party is still remembered by many where he openly communicated the protest of Andhra Pradesh Muslims stating that the minorities and secular forces felt shocked and betrayed with the TDP extending its open support to the communal BJP.
In his historic statement Baheeruddin Babu Khan said that he has resigned on the call of his conscience and to uphold the principles of secularism and to honor the sentiments of Muslim community. Man of principle Mr. Khan stood by his decision and termed it irrevocable.
Even after resignation from his portfolio Mr. Babu Khan did continue with TDP as party’s Bodhan MLA, but his stern party leadership took revenge on him by denying ticket in the next elections.
A press statement by his family stated, “He had always been working for the upliftment of minorities and other weaker sections of the society for the general public good, throughout his life. His contributions for the rights of minorities have been widely recognized both nationally and internationally. Recently Muslim Educational and Cultural Organization (MESCO) and National Commission for Minorities Educational Institutions Govt. of India bestowed on him life time achievement award, which is an award for great significance for his work in the field of Muslim education for past three decades.”
Mr. Khan was one of the highly intellectual leaders who had a clear vision for the development of Muslim community. His family stated, “His sad demise is a major loss to the community, his services for the community is unforgettable.”
Basheeruddin Babu Khan’s younger brother Ghayasuddin Babu Khan is the chairman of Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust a well known philanthropist group. Mr. Khan is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.
His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at Royal Mosque, Bagh-e-Aam, Nampally followed by Asar prayer on Sunday. He has been buried at Graveyard Road No.12, Banjara Hills.