Shams Ur Rehman Alavi 1. The feeling that 'I am right' and 'I will correct others' is so deeply engrained that people don't realise when they cross the line. Actually, it's gross, unfair and impolite. 2. As a Muslim, I can do social welfare, but I have no role absolutely in what a rich or poor, Hindu or Parsi, believes or does or trying to have a say as far as their faith is concerned. 3. Arrogance of piety is a syndrome. Similarly, as a Sunni, I will practice things in my way, not to intervene in Shia or others' style. Our paths intersect, we interact and meet and have social relati ..read more

[By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi] 1. Imam Husain was one of the most powerful men in his era on the earth. Entire Islamic world was aware of Husain's status. 2. In his childhood, he played in the lap of Prophet (PBUH) who doted on his grandsons. Husain had no want for political power. His single gesture or call could bring revolution across Muslim lands but he didn't want bloodshed. 3. As Prophet's grandson, he had to keep highest moral and ethical standards and not succumb despite tricks, treachery and tyranny. He could never accept a cruel imposter or an unjust ruler's allegiance as it'd have bee ..read more

  Shams Ur Rehman Alavi The era when people started their day, watching news on TV, has gone.  No longer, the families sit for the prime time news in the evening.  TV news is almost dead. The system of 'watching news on channels' by entire family or even individual, has disappeared.  TRPs can be managed to some extent and money pumped but the truth is that media companies' heads had it coming.  The extreme NOISE, the fake news, hatred, agenda based propaganda and communalism that was aired day in and day out, had frustrated the viewers.  Large number of Muslims ..read more

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi Freedom fighter and prominent leader late Badrudduja is recalled for his politics as well as his oratory, especially, in English, Urdu and Bangla. He was active during freedom struggle and participated in almost all the movements. Even in pre-partition era, he was Mayor of Calcutta. After 1947, his role in West Bengal politics became important.  In 1967, he was elected MP as IDP candidate. In Assembly & Parliament, he was vocal & hence faced consequences. Also, with Krishak Praja Party (KPP) and then IDP.   Syed Badrudduja was born in Murshidab ..read more

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi Ali Husain Aasim Bihari who was a freedom fighter, big leader, organised workers in Bihar & Bengal, brought out newspapers, formed multiple organisations. He, led Momin Ansari community, and all his life fought for workers' rights. Suffered a lot in process and his family also lived in challenging circumstances. Hailing from Bihar Sharif, Nalanda, he had to shift to Kolkata to earn a living and it was here that he began involved in freedom movement and started an unprecedented political and social journey despite financial constraints. Aasim Bihari left a huge lega ..read more

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi Raja Man Singh led the Mughal army and fought the Mewar army, nearly 445 years ago. Man Singh's army had Hindus and Muslims. Mewar army too had both Hindus and Muslims. In fact, Hakim Khan Sur fought against the Mughal army. In medieval era, people fought for power or prestige but were not as petty to look at everything from a religious lens. The battle of Haldighati was not the sole such battle. All attempts to communalize, fall flat. Was Raja Man Singh good?  Were all the North Indian or even South Indian rulers who never opposed Delhi or later allied with Briti ..read more

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi It's time to talk about late Ilyas Azmi. He was politically active till the end of his life.  There are many things to remember about him. He was among those who kept talking about Dr Abdul Jaleel Faridi, unlike other leaders of his generation. But the most important was his role after the Batla House incident in 2008, when TV channels had targeted youth of Azamgarh & East UP, Ilyas Azmi raised voice. Cops made youth drape keffiyeh before media to stereotype the community youth. Azmi protested wore the same keffiyeh and entered parliament. Raising copies of Ma ..read more

  The Indian Muslims are a forward looking community.  There is no doubt about it that despite challenges, Indian Muslims have moved ahead and progressed.  Less in government jobs and lacking in resources, yet, Indian Muslims have established themselves in all spheres and all the fields.  Quite often, we hear the term 'backward' linked to Muslims without any statistics or documentary proof. In fact, on social indicators and as far as social evils and other regressive practices in society are concerned, these are less prevalent in Muslim community. Of course, community has ..read more

By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi It's time to stop calling parties 'vote cutters'. In Central India, Gondwana party, GMS & JAYS don't have MLAs but have workers. After custodial death or atrocity, come to street, hold demo, give memo, put pressure, ensure action. Better than having dumb MLAs. Parties needed, even if they don't win elections, they must be around as voice of different and diverse sections of people.   There are two separate things. First is winning, getting equal share in power. That's just a dream, no major party ready to speak for you or give representation. Hence, at ..read more

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi 1. Good, unbiased TV anchors must get due respect. But don't make demigods or form cult. Everything is not so simple either. Forget 2008 reporting or movements, not raising Qns on certain things, not showing other side's view in past, channel's role in getting victims, framed, is of course not one person's responsibility. 2. Organisation have been used in a way to give impression of 'functioning system' and allowing certain things up to a point. One programme is fine but the content pushed throughout the day on its websites and channel is often different. If just recen ..read more