Ahmad Saeed Malihabadi (1930 – 2 October 2022) was an Indian journalist, writer and politician who served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha representing West Bengal from 2008 to 2014. He was the chief editor of the Urdu-language daily Azad Hind, published from Kolkata, for more than six decades.
Born in Malihabad in the Lucknow district of United Provinces, Malihabadi became associated with Urdu journalism from an early age. He worked with Azad Hind, a newspaper founded by his father, Abdul Razzaq Malihabadi, and eventually became its chief editor. He also published books on journalism, politics, travel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Malihabadi was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2008 as an independent candidate from West Bengal and served a six-year term until 2014.
Early life
Ahmad Saeed Malihabadi was born in 1930 at Malihabad in Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to a family associated with Urdu journalism and the literary culture of Malihabad.
According to the Rajya Sabha's official obituary reference, Malihabadi worked with Mahatma Gandhi during Gandhi's stay in Kolkata in 1947, particularly in connection with efforts for peace and communal harmony during the period surrounding the Partition of India.
Journalism
Malihabadi spent most of his professional life in Urdu journalism. He became associated with the Kolkata-based Urdu daily Azad Hind, which had been founded by his father, Abdul Razzaq Malihabadi. He served as the newspaper's chief editor for more than six decades.
The newspaper is preserved in the collections of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies and the National Digital Library of India. Institutional catalogue records identify Ahmad Saeed Malihabadi as the editor of Azad Hind and preserve issues of the newspaper dating from the 20th century.
An issue of Azad Hind dated 11 July 1983 is catalogued by the institute with Ahmad Saeed Malihabadi listed as its editor. The record identifies the publication as an Urdu newspaper published in Calcutta.
Contemporary accounts described Malihabadi as a prominent figure in Urdu journalism. A 2001 article in The Milli Gazette described him as a co-editor of Azad Hind and discussed his role in the development of Urdu journalism in Kolkata.
Political career
Rajya Sabha
Malihabadi entered national politics in 2008 when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India, from West Bengal as an independent member.
His election attracted attention because both the Indian National Congress and the Left Front supported his candidature despite their political differences in West Bengal. Contemporary reporting described him as the editor of Azad Hind and noted his background as a journalist and his family's association with the freedom movement.
He took oath as a Rajya Sabha member in April 2008 and represented West Bengal until April 2014.
During his parliamentary term, Malihabadi participated in debates and parliamentary proceedings. The official parliamentary record, for example, lists him among the members who participated in the Rajya Sabha debate concerning the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
According to PRS Legislative Research, Malihabadi attended 93% of the Rajya Sabha sittings recorded in its parliamentary dataset, participated in 25 debates and asked 35 questions during his term.
Writing
In addition to journalism, Malihabadi wrote books in Urdu. His published works included Aaj Ka Pakistan, a travel and interview account published in 1975, and Allah Ke Ghar Mein: Mera Safar-e-Hajj.
He also wrote extensively about Abul Kalam Azad. His book Azeem Sahafi, Azeem Rahnuma Abul Kalam Azad was published in 2013 by the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, New Delhi. The book contains 212 pages and deals with Azad's career as a journalist and political leader.
Another of his works, Aazad Ne Kaha Tha: Ittihad Aur Azadi, was published in 1997 and deals with Abul Kalam Azad's ideas concerning unity and independence.
Death
Ahmad Saeed Malihabadi died on 2 October 2022 in Malihabad Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Following his death, the Rajya Sabha paid tribute to him during its obituary references on 7 December 2022. The official record described him as a journalist, writer and scholar and noted his service as a member of the House from West Bengal between April 2008 and April 2014.
Bibliography
Aaj Ka Pakistan (1975) Allah Ke Ghar Mein: Mera Safar-e-Hajj Aazad Ne Kaha Tha: Ittihad Aur Azadi (1997) Azeem Sahafi, Azeem Rahnuma Abul Kalam Azad (2013)
References