Zahid Ali Khan
NationalityIndian
Alma materNizam College
Occupation(s)Journalist, Politician

Zahid Ali Khan is an Indian journalist from Hyderabad who is the editor-in-chief of an Urdu newspaper, The Siasat Daily.[1] He has contested the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency in 2009.

Personal life

Khan is the son of Abid Ali Khan, who was the founder of The Siasat Daily. His mother Muneerunnisa Begum was the daughter of Syed Shah Shabir Hussaini, who was the head of Hazrat Dargah Shah Khamosh.[2][3]

Political campaign

In 2009, it was announced that Khan would contest the 2009 Indian general election for the 70% Muslim-majority constituency of Hyderabad, running as an independent candidate with the support of the regional Telangana Rashtra Samithi party, Telugu Desam Party, and the Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist). The incumbent was Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party which had held that constituency since 1984. Khan said that his aim was to "uplift [...] the Muslims of the old city of Hyderabad".[4]

In February 2009, Khan was assaulted and hospitalized by unknown persons alleged to be workers of the AIMIM party. Editors of The Siasat Daily and ten other news outlets came out in support, noting government and police inaction toward increasing attacks on journalists.[5] Owaisi defeated Khan in the election by a margin of 110,768 votes. Khan was polled 182,000 votes compared to Owaisi's 293,000.[6]

In 2014, Khan broke from the Telugu Desam Party as he was unhappy with the party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, feeling that this would adversely affect the Muslim community.[7] He also rejected a ticket from the Aam Aadmi Party.[8]

Social service

Mahmood Ali, the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, said that Khan had an important place in the country by contributing to social and journalistic fields.[9] Khan has also taken the responsibility of burying thousands of unclaimed Muslim bodies in Islamic services.[10]

Views

In interviews and editorials in The Siasat Daily, Khan has stated that he feels that Muslims had faced injustice and had not been given power and employment in post-independence India. He also feels that Islamic culture had been under attack. He supported the state government led by Kcr to increase reservations for Muslims from 4% to 12%.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Asaduddin Owaisi's daughter to wed Shah Alam's grandson".
  2. ↑ "Editor of Siasat Zahid Ali Khan's mother Begum Abid Ali Khan passes away". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "Mrs. Abid Ali Khan's body laid to rest yesterday – Thousands offer their condolence". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  4. ↑ Siddique, Mohammmed (10 March 2009). "'My goal is to uplift Muslims of Hyderabad': Zahid Ali Khan". Two Circles. Retrieved 1 June 2017. My goal is to uplift Muslims, especially the Muslims of old city of Hyderabad, educationally, economically and socially to restore their lost place in the society and I am sure people will support me.
  5. ↑ "Editors condemn attack on Zahid Ali Khan". Times of India. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "Record win for Asaduddin". The Hindu. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  7. ↑ Fasiullah, SM (12 April 2014). "Chandrababu Naidu broke the promise he gave to public by joining hands with BJP: Zahid Ali Khan". Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  8. ↑ "TDP leader Zahid Ali Khan not to contest polls". Business Standard. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "Zahid Ali is a great leader, dignified journalist and a successful social reformer". The Siasat Daily. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  10. ↑ "Burial arrangements of destitute Muslim dead bodies". The Siasat Daily. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  11. ↑ "Siasat Urdu Daily is struggling for better future for Muslims – Zahid Ali Khan". The Siasat Daily. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
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