During his political career spanning over five decades both as MLA and MP Taslimuddin ensured that no panchayat or village was left out of road connectivity. He built bridges, helped introduce new trains and provide stoppage of many of them. However, the most remarkable service he did was to maintain peace and social harmony and keep the region riot-free, writes Manzar Imam
Mohammad Taslimuddin, unarguably, the tallest and most popular leader of Seemanchal, was given a befitting and emotional adieu by his followers and admirers as he was laid to rest at his ancestral village Sisona in Araria district of Bihar on Tuesday, 19 September, 2017.
Representing Araria in the 16th Lok Sabha, the septuagenarian Member of Parliament breathed his last on 17 September at Chennai’s Apollo Hospital from where his body was flown to Bagdogra Airport to be brought to his village en route Kishanganj, Purnia and Araria district headquarters for thousands of his well-wishers and supporters for a last glimpse.
From Panchayat to Parliament ,Taslimuddin was the only leader to get elected from three Parliamentary constituencies of Seemanchal – Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria – and, from 1969 was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of Bihar seven times. He had a huge mass support and worked tirelessly for the people.
Known as Seemanchal Gandhi, the late leader left many indelible marks and unforgettable memories. The progress seen today in Seemanchal in general and in Purnea Commissionerate in particular is to a large extent because of his progressive thought, farsightedness and developmental work carried out either by him or at his instance. He had his own style of getting things pass through bureaucratic hurdles. He was a tough master but a humble servant of those who approached him for any work. Behind the stout face lay a man of humble roots and even humbler attitude to the poor as Dr Khalid Mubashshir said while referring to him as “Baba-e-Seemanchal” that in reality “He was the biggest leader of the deprived people of Seemanchal”. He was “a true son of soil” who had seen his father suffer, working under a zamindar, which made him join politics at a young age. He hated the word “impossible”.
Taslimuddin had an uncanny style of connecting with the people across each district, block, panchayat in most parts of Seemanchal. He knew many of them by face in almost each village of his constituency. Belonging to his first constituency from where he was elected Sarpanch in 1959 when even my parents were children, I had the opportunity to meet him few times, first as a child when he visited my village Mehdinagar to resolve a dispute. Every time I saw him my respect for him grew. In my later meetings, I rather preferred listening to him than asking questions, for he was a man with an amazing knowledge of the region, its people and politics. His conversations would generally begin with inquiring about the health of many individuals of the areas from where visitors would frequent.
He never feared criticizing even the heads and big leaders of his own party about things he felt wrong. It is because of his outspokenness that he faced the ire of many leaders but it did not stop him from speaking his mind. This cost him dearly when he was made Minister of State for Home Affairs in Devegowda-led Janata Party Government in 1996. While this forthrightness earned him adversaries in his long political career, it also earned him great admirers.
He was the man behind providing stoppage of many trains at Kishanganj Railway Station besides his effort to introduce new trains. One of his biggest developmental works was building of roads. He ensured that no panchayat or village was left out of road connectivity. He was concerned about the recurring flood and loss caused by it annually in Seemanchal.
He spent all his life in active politics and social service. But the most remarkable service he did was to maintain peace and social harmony and keep the Seemanchal region riot-free. According to MLC Dr Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Taslimuddin was a true torchbearer of Hindu-Muslim unity. “He loved Hindus more than he loved Muslims.” I can never forget this messenger of peace, Jaiswal said. Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mahdi of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees termed his death a great loss to both the nation and community and said he was a popular leader who worked to eliminate poverty and illiteracy and left no stone unturned to promote peace and brotherhood. He will be remembered forever for his services.
In her condolence message Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan remembered Taslimuddin as an esteemed colleague who represented his constituencies during his long political career and “served people” in a “dedicated manner”.
RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav called his death a “big loss to the party”. He had been with us through thick and thin. The party will never forget his participation, he said. CM Nitish Kumar also paid his tribute and termed him as a renowned politician and social worker. LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan expressed grief over passing away of Taslimuddin who he said was known for his “frank and candid remarks”. Union Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said Taslimuddin was a uniquely powerful leader of Seemanchal whose death was an irreparable loss to Bihar.
In his demise, we have lost an honest leader. He always spoke for the weak and never compromised with his principles, said Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. Seemanchal faced issues of poverty and a host of other challenges. Taslimuddin not only determinately tried to resolve them but also achieved success in solving many of these problems, he said.
Leading English daily The Indian Express rightly described him as the “Voice of Seemanchal”. Expressing grief, noted Urdu critic and litterateur Haqqani Al-Qasmi said that in the demise of Taslim sahib Seemanchal had lost “a great fearless leader”. Despite political and ideological disagreements everyone commended his truthfulness and boldness, he added. Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi said, “His demise has left a vacuum in Indian politics which is difficult to fill”. He was a simple and “morally upright person”. Mufti Mahfoozur Rahman Usmani remembered him as “a grassroots’ leader”.
A unique floral tribute was paid to the RJD MP by people who came from Punjab. We have not seen such a brave and greathearted politician who would come from Bihar to Punjab to encourage the Sikh community, they said.
Among those who attended his funeral prayer and were present at the last moments are former Union Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, former Union Minister Raghunath Jha, former Bihar Minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui, former CM Rabri Devi, former Deputy CM Tejaswi Prasad, former Araria MP Pradeep Kumar, former MLA and AIMIM Bihar chief Akhtarul Iman, chairman of Katihar Medical College Dr Ahmad Ashfaq Karim, Shivanand Tiwari, Sharwan Kumar, Saba Zafar, Mahmood Ashraf, Members of Parliament Ranjeet Ranjan, Rajesh Ranjan, Tariq Anwar, Santosh Kumar, Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi, Shailesh Kumar (Bulo Mandal), MLAs Dr Shakeel Ahmad, Bima Bharti, Lacy Singh and, almost all sitting and former MLAs of entire Seemanchal cutting across political spectrum.
Born on 4 January 1943 to Amjad Ali and Biwi Sabujan Taslimuddin began his political journey as a student leader in 1954 and took keen interest in literacy awareness, helped set up a number of educational institutions in Purnea Commissionerate. From Sarpanch in 1959 to Mukhiya in 1964 to State Home Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution in UPA-I Government he was MLA for eight terms and MP for five terms.
He is survived by three sons: MLA Sarfaraz Alam, Mohammad Muqim, Shahnawaz Alam and two daughters besides grandchildren one of whom, Mohammad Kaif, died in an accident while riding to his village after news of death of his beloved grandfather.
Journalist Abid Anwar pointed out that Taslimuddin was a fighter who suffered a lot. From the very beginning he fought with officers for people’s rights which earned him their anger. But, he never gave up.
Taslimuddin chose a path which many would fear to tread. But that is how great politicians do. And there is no doubt he remained the greatest political figure of Seemanchal. In his presence people walked fearlessly and felt strong and empowered. According to an estimate 1.5 lakh people which included men, women, children, old and infirm came to have a last glimpse of their favourite leader. This shows the huge respect and love he enjoyed. The void left by his demise seems hard to fill in years to come.
The author is a Ph.D. Fellow at the Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.