Badruddin Ajmal

Last updated

Badruddin Ajmal
Shri M. Badruddin Ajmal 2016.jpg
Ajmal in 2016
Member of parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
16 May 2009 4 June 2024
Relatives Sirajuddin Ajmal (brother)
Alma mater Darul Uloom Deoband
ProfessionPolitician, businessman
As of 28 February 2021
Source:

Maulana Badruddin Ajmal (born 12 February 1950) is an Indian businessman, politician, philanthropist and Islamic theologian from the state of Assam. [2] He is the state-president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind for Assam. He was the Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Dhubri constituency from 2009 to 2024 until he lost the election to Rakibul Hussain of Indian National Congress by a margin of more than 10 lakh votes. He's the Founder and President of the All India United Democratic Front since 2005. He is also Chief Executive Officer of a non-profit organization, Ajmal Foundation which established 25 educational institutions, [3] schools, and hospitals. [4]

Contents

Biography

Ajmal was born on 12 February 1950 to a Bengali Muslim family from Hojai in central Assam. His family traces their origins to the Sylhet district of eastern Bengal. [5] He is the son of Haji Ajmal Ali, a rice farmer who moved to Mumbai in 1950 to try to succeed in the perfume industry using the oud plant. After the opening of the first store in the 1960s, the Ajmal perfume brand quickly grew to become a large brand in the Middle East. [6]

He holds master's degrees in Theology and Arabic from Darul Uloom Deoband. [7]

Career

The son of the founder of Ajmal Perfumes, he established the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in 2005. [8] He is also the president of the Assam State Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. [7] He is a three-time MP from Dhubri constituency. [9] He has been regularly listed among "The 500 Most Influential Muslims" of the world. [10] [11]

He is the managing trustee of Haji Abdul Majid Memorial (HAMM) Public Trust, Hojai. This trust is best known for the charitable hospital Haji Abdul Majid Memorial Hospital and Research Center [12] at Hojai, Assam. He also established a hospital at Malua near Badarpur of Karimganj, named as Badarpur Hospital. [13] In 2005, he established Ajmal Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Assam, India, and operating 25 educational institutions across the state. [14]

Since 1995 AD (1415 AH), he has also been serving as the director of Shaikhul Hind Academy, a department of Darul Uloom Deoband. [15]

Political activities

He was the president of Hojai session reception committee of Assam Sahitya Sabha, 2004 and Darul Hadith, Jayanagar Madrassa. [7] Assam Ajmal's political debut came in 2005 after the Supreme Court struck down the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act. [16] Ajmal founded the Assam United Democratic Front, which was renamed the All-India United Democratic Front in 2013.

Before the 2006 Assam assembly elections, Ajmal was politically insignificant. During the 2006 elections however, his party managed to win 10 seats fighting the Congress. he was elected simultaneously from two constituencies – South Salmara and Jamunamukh – by a large margin of votes. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Ajmal won from Dhubri constituency. [16]

In the 2011 Assembly polls, AIUDF won 18 seats and emerged as the largest opposition party in Assam. [17]

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Ajmal was re-elected from Dhubri and his party won 3 Lok Sabha seats. In the 2016 assembly elections, however, the BJP swept the polls and Ajmal himself lost the Salmara South constituency. His party was reduced to 13 seats. [18]

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Ajmal was the only candidate from his party to keep his seat, winning again from Dhubri. With 7 children, he has most children for any Member of Parliament in India. [19] In 2020, Ajmal announced he and Congress would be in alliance for the 2021 polls. [18]

Controversy

Ajmal's statements have often courted controversy for polarizing Bengali Muslims. Following the 2012 Assam riots, Ajmal claimed the violence was between Bodos and Muslims. The remarks were criticised by an Assamese Muslim group, the Sadou Asom Gariya – Moria Desi (SAGMJ), along with the All Assam Students Union, for ignoring that Assamese Muslim were not involved at all. [16]

On 22 January 2021, at a rally in Dhubri, Ajmal claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had a list of 3500 mosques it would destroy if returned to power at the Centre and that “they will not let women go out wearing ‘burqa’, grow a beard, wear a skullcap or even offer azaan at mosques.” The BJP claimed he was making "communal statements" out of nervousness since BJP "will get majority share of Muslim votes" this election. Congress, with whom Ajmal is in alliance, as well as NDA party Asom Gana Parishad also condemned the remarks. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asom Gana Parishad</span> Indian political party

Asom Gana Parishad is a political party in the state of Assam, India. The AGP was formed following the historic Assam Accord of 1985 and formally launched at the Golaghat Convention held from 13 to 14 October 1985 in Golaghat, which also allowed Prafulla Kumar Mahanta who was the youngest chief minister of the state to be elected. The AGP has formed government twice once in 1985 then again in 1996. The popularity of AGP surged in the late 1980s but declined in the 2000s. After a 20-year gap, AGP, in alliance with NDA, won a Lok Sabha seat in 2024.

Mankachar is a census town in South Salmara-Mankachar District in the Indian state of Assam. It is situated at the extreme south-westernmost end of North-East India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarbananda Sonowal</span> Union Cabinet Minister from Assam (born 1962)

Sarbananda Sonowal is an Indian politician who has served as Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways since 2021. He also has been the Member of the Rajya Sabha representing Assam since 2021 and also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs since 2021. He previously served as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam from 2016 to 2021 and as a member of Assam Legislative Assembly for Majuli from 2016 to 2021 and for Moran from 2001 to 2004. Sonowal earlier served as the Assam state unit President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2016. He also served as the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India, from 2014 to 2016 and the Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Skill Development from 2014 to 2014 and the member of the Lok Sabha from Lakhimpur from 2014 to 2016 and from Dibrugarh from 2004 to 2009. He was also the member of the Asom Gana Parishad from 2001 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency</span> Lok Sabha constituency in Assam

Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam state in north-eastern India. Dhubri consists of 11 assembly segments of Lower Assam, covering all of South Salmara-Mankachar District and Dhubri districts parts of Goalpara district parts of Bongaigaon district and parts of Barpeta district. With an estimated population of 5 million residents Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency has 2.6 million registered voters. Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency is the most populated constituency in the entire North-East region of India.

Hatsingimari is the headquarter of South Salmara-Mankachar District (Assam), India. Previously, it was the headquarter of South Salmara Mankachar Subdivision. On 26 January 2016, Assam's Chief Minister SriTarun Gogoi announced South Salmara-Mankachar as an administrative district along with other 4 districts. On 9 February 2016, the district was inaugurated. It has a population of 3445 people. It also has a Higher literacy rate of 77.73% as compared to the 73.72% of Assam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All India United Democratic Front</span> Political party in Assam, India

The All India United Democratic Front is a political party active in the Indian state of Assam. It is the 3rd largest political party in Assam Legislative Assembly after BJP and INC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assam Legislative Assembly</span> Unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Assam

The Assam Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Assam. It is housed in Dispur, the capital city of Assam, geographically situated in present Western Assam region. The Legislative Assembly comprises 126 Members of Legislative Assembly, directly elected from single-seat constituencies. Its term is five years, unless sooner dissolved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asrarul Haq Qasmi</span> Indian politician

Mohammad Asrarul Haque was an Indian Muslim scholar and politician, who served as the eighth general secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. He was a member of the Indian Parliament, and represented Kishanganj seat. He was also the state president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.

Sirajuddin Ajmal is an Indian politician of All India United Democratic Front who is serving as the Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly representing Jamunamukh constituency since 2021 and from 2006 to 2014. He was also served as the Member of the Parliament, Lok Sabha from Barpeta constituency from 2014 to 2019. His brother, Badruddin Ajmal is also the Member of the Lok Sabha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Assam Legislative Assembly election</span> 2016 legislative assembly election in Assam, India

The Assam Legislative Assembly Election of 2016 was held in two phases, on 4 and 11 April 2016, to elect members of the 126 constituencies in Assam, a state in North-eastern India. The overall voter turnout was 84.72%, which set a new record for Assam. The turnout was an increase from the 2011 Assembly election figure of 75%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salmara South Assembly constituency</span> Assembly constituency of Assam

Salmara South Assembly constituency is one of the 126 assembly constituencies of Assam a north east state of India. Salmara is also part of Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamunamukh Assembly constituency</span> Assembly constituency of Assam

Jamunamukh Assembly Constituency was one of the 126 assembly constituencies of Assam a north east state of India. Jamunamukh was also part of Nowgong Lok Sabha constituency.

Abdur Rahim Ajmal is an Indian politician and businessman. He is a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly for the Jamunamukh constituency.

Rafiqul Islam is an Indian politician serving as a member of Assam Legislative Assembly from AIUDF since 2011. He got elected in 2021 with the highest margin of votes in the state of Assam from Jania constituency, he has also served as a guest professor in Gauhati University. He is the Chief Whip of AIUDF Legislature party in the Assam Legislative Assembly, General Secretary and Spokesperson of AIUDF party. Besides politics, Dr. Islam is also an Islamic theologian graduated from prestigious Darul Uloom Deoband and holds the rank of secretary of Assam State Jamiat Ulama E Hind. According to ADR survey 2021, Islam is one of the most educated legislators in the Assam Assembly. He was born in Kalgachia, Assam in 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Assam Legislative Assembly election</span> Indian state election

The 2021 Assam Legislative Assembly election was the 15th quinquennial legislative assembly election held in the Indian state of Assam from March 27 to April 6 in three phases, to elect 126 MLAs to the 15th Assam Legislative Assembly. The votes were counted and the result declared on Sunday, 2 May. The term of the previous Fourteenth Legislative Assembly of Assam ended on 31 May 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ishaq Sambhali</span> Indian politician

Ishaq Sambhali was an Indian politician, freedom activist, journalist and the member of parliament from Amroha parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh. He was imprisoned twice during the resistance movement of India. He was associated with Communist Party of India, and served as the parliament member twice during the fourth lok sabah and fifth lok sabah elections.

Ardhendu Kumar Dey was an Indian politician and Minister of Irrigation and Soil Conservation in the Government of Assam. He was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from Hojai constituency from 1991 till 2006 as a member of INC. He was re-elected as an MLA from Hojai from 2011 to 2016. In April 2021, he left the Indian National Congress.

Charbari (Gazarikandi) is a village under Kathalbari and Kukurmara Gaon panchayat in Mankachar revenue circle, South Salmara-Mankachar district of Assam a north east state of India.

Abdur Rehman Ajmal is an Indian politician and businessman. He is a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly for the Salmara South constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darul Uloom Banskandi</span> Islamic seminary located in the Cachar district of Assam

Darul Uloom Banskandi is an Islamic seminary located in the Cachar district of Assam. It is the largest Islamic university in North-East India and extremely follows the methodology of Darul Uloom Deoband.

References

  1. https://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4436%5B‍%5D
  2. "Himanta Biswa Sarma: In this Assam election, Bangladeshi immigrants want their own CM too". 15 February 2016.
  3. Agha, Eram (18 October 2020). "Number of Students Clearing NEET Exam After Coaching From Ajmal Foundation's Increases from 11 to 80". News18. CNN-News18 . Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  4. Chakravarty, Ipsita; Saikia, Arunabh (18 April 2019). "'Minority communalism is costly': A polarising debate on citizenship makes Assam's Muslims cautious". Scroll. Scroll.in . Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  5. Seetharaman, G. (31 January 2016). "Assam assembly election: Perfume baron Badruddin Ajmal is expected to hold on to his strongholds & expand his reach". The Economic Times .
  6. Sajjad, M. "Ajmal Perfumes: A 70-year legacy of farm to fragrance". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 "Bioprofile of 15th Lok Sabha members, India". Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  8. "All India United Democratic Front". www.aiudf.org. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  9. "15th Lok sabha members, Assam, India". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  10. "The Muslim 500: Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi" . Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  11. "Times of India on 22 most influential Muslims in India". The Times of India . 12 October 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  12. "Ajmal Foundation". Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  13. "Badruddin Ajmal Election Results 2021: News, Votes, Results of Assembly". NDTV.com.
  14. "Number of Students Clearing NEET Exam After Coaching From Ajmal Foundation's Increases from 11 to 80". www.news18.com. 18 October 2020.
  15. Qasmi, Muhammadullah Khalili (October 2020). Darul Uloom Deoband Ki Jame O Mukhtasar Tareekh (in Urdu) (3rd ed.). India: Shaikh-Ul-Hind Academy. p. 790. OCLC   1345466013.
  16. 1 2 3 "Assam Muslims blame perfume baron for unrest". Hindustan Times . 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012.
  17. "Partywise Trends & Result". Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  18. 1 2 "The 'Ajmal' factor in Assam Assembly polls". Deccan Herald. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  19. "Mr PM, Please Note: 96 BJP MPs Have Three or More Children". NewsClick. 25 August 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  20. "Congress runs for cover in Assam after new ally AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal sparks a row". Hindustan Times. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Badruddin Ajmal
Leader of the All India United Democratic Front Party in the 16th Lok Sabha
2014–present
Incumbent