Hyderabad: Marking the 137th birth anniversary of Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, senior Congress leader Shabbir Ali urged renewed dedication to education, unity, and empowerment. He addressed the National Education Day and Minorities Welfare Day celebrations at Ravindra Bharathi.
The event was attended by Minister Md Azharuddin and several senior officials. Educators and social workers were honoured for their contribution to learning and community welfare.
Azad’s vision of learning and equality
Shabbir Ali described Azad as one of the chief architects of modern Indian education. He recalled his leadership during the freedom struggle and his vision for inclusive learning. Although Azad spent nearly a decade in British prisons, he emerged with ideas that shaped India’s intellectual future.
Criticising efforts to distort history, Shabbir Ali said the BJP and RSS could not name a single leader from their ranks who fought for independence. “Those who rewrite history cannot replace those who made it,” he remarked.
He credited Azad with establishing the University Grants Commission and promoting scientific research through the creation of the IITs. “His declaration that every child deserves free education remains the foundation of our democracy,” he said.
Linking Azad’s ideals to present policies
Shabbir Ali reminded the audience that as a minister in the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy government, he implemented the 4% Muslim reservation policy. The measure, he said, enabled more than 22 lakh students to gain access to higher education and employment.
Furthermore, he highlighted the Congress government’s recent achievements, including the creation of over 2,200 jobs for minorities and the establishment of new educational institutions across Telangana. “This progress is clear proof of sustained commitment to Azad’s ideals,” he noted.
Applauding Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s ‘Integrated Young India’ initiative, he said the programme promotes equality and unity through shared school campuses. In addition, he expressed confidence in Minister Md Azharuddin’s leadership in expanding minority welfare schemes.
Education as the path to empowerment
“The path to empowerment begins in classrooms,” Shabbir Ali concluded. “Educating every child is the truest way to honour Moulana Azad’s vision.”
