Indian Muslims are completely wiped off from the history of India’s independence. The present schools, colleges and other learning institutions highlight only other religions’ contribution to our independence. That being the case, the present youth is bound to believe in whatever they are told. Down the line after 20 years, the truth about Indian Muslims will just a be a myth.
Any freedom fighter should not be judged on the basis of religion which is what exactly is happening in the present. So, I thought I would jot down a few Indian Muslim Freedom Fighters who fought for India’s Independence and are still present somewhere in India’s history.
Muslim Freedom Fighters Who Fought For India’s Independence
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: His contribution to India’s Independence began when he was just of 16 years old, but his name is usually portrayed as a betrayer or a traitor to the country. Let us keep the facts straight and look at every freedom fighter beyond any religion, caste, and creed. He continued serving the country till his last breath. He took his last breath on 22 Feb 1958. Not to forget, he is a Bharat Ratna awardee.
Syed Mohammad Sharfuddin Quadri: An overlooked champion of India’s freedom, Syed Mohammad Sharfuddin Quadri has done an incomparable sacrifice for our nation. He joined India’s opportunity battle amid the Salt Satyagraha development in 1930. He was imprisoned with Gandhi. Indeed, even after autonomy, he avoided legislative issues and still kept on contributing his bit to the country. He passed on 30 December 2015, at the age of 114, 8 years subsequent to getting granted with a Padma Bhushan.
Maulana Mazharul Haque: Born in Patna district of Bihar on 22 December 1886, Maulana Mazharul Haque was known for his his social works during the famine of 1897. He became the Vice Chairman of Bihar Congress Committee and started taking part in the freedom struggle. He played a major role in making the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movements and the Champaran Satyagraha a success. He died in January 1930 before which he donated every single bit of his property for encouraging education. In his honour, in April 1988, the Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University was founded at Patna.
Abbas Ali: Inspired by Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad, Abbas Ali joined the Indian freedom movement in his teenage after completing his education. He joined the Indian National Army (INA) or the ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ and was subsequently court-martialled and sentenced to death. However, before he could serve his punishment, India attained independence and Abbas was eventually set free. He was in jail for over 50 times all throughout his life and stayed in jail for 19 months when Indira Gandhi imposed the emergency. He died on 11 October 2014 due to a heart failure.
Dr. Zakir Husain: Another Bharat Ratna awardee, Dr. Zakir Husain was the third president of independent India and the first Muslim president of India. He was a stern follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence policies. He believed that education was essential to make the Indian youth capable of fighting against the British and thus focused on empowering the education system. He acted as the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia for 22 years (1926-48) and made it one of the finest educational institute of India. He died on 3 May 1969 becoming the first Indian president to die on duty.
Not just these five, there are many, many more Indian Muslims who fought for their nation while being active followers of Islam. Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi, Asaf Ali, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Mohammad Abdur Rahiman, Muzaffar Ahmed, Bakht Khan, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Moulvi Mohammad Baqir, Vakkom Majeed and many more names can be added to this list. Ranker.com has a bigger list of Indian Muslim Freedom Fighters.
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