By TCN News
Hyderabad: Students of University of Hyderabad organised a talk and discussion on “Maulana Azad’s Idea of India and Present Day Contexts” as part of the National Education Day, also celebrated as the birthday of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on Thursday.
The speakers were Prof. Anwar Moazzam, Former Professor and Head, Department of Islamic Studies, Osmania University and Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, Columnist, Times of India, Hyderabad and Media Coordinator, Maulana Azad National Urdu University. The session was chaired by Prof. Muzaffar Ali Shahmiri, Head, Department of Urdu, UoH. Around hundred students and researchers participated to disccuss Maulana Azad’s idea of India and its relevance in today’s situations.
Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, in his speech, deviated from some popular notions like Maulana taking inspiration from Gandhi to join politics; rather he said that Maulana started long before. Maulana’scontribution as a freedom fighter is immense and later as the first Education Minister of India he has initiated a lot which still very much valuable to our education system. Khan added many institutions that we are proud of today, are due to Azad’s work. Khan’s concluded by saying that today there is threat in the country and we need to relook his ideas and work for the nation.
Prof. Anwar Moazzam pitched in by saying that today, the Government in power is trying to make India into a Hindu Rastra , but this would be impossible since the concept of India is much deeper. Our leaders have imagined for a secular India even though the concept was not much in fashion in those days. Further, he said that these days hardly people refer to Maulana. Many might not know him too. That’s not only because of political reasons but also because Azad’s writings have not been translated widely and properly in various languages. It’s high time now to translate his writings and relook his ideas and take inspiration from those. During his talk he quoted many writings of Azad and others. Later, he spoke on composite culture of India which talks of inclusiveness. He said Azad requested Indian Muslims to come and join in the Freedom Struggle as in Islam it says it’s necessary to be free and independent.